Effect of fog on flights.
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Dense fog and severe cold this week disrupted air travel across northern India, causing widespread delays and cancellations. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), at least 10 flights were canceled and over 270 flights were delayed due to low visibility (100 metres) at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport today.
On Tuesday, December 23, due to poor visibility, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Patna was diverted to Raipur, while 22 incoming and 25 outgoing flights were delayed.
Things were even worse on Monday
Nearly 500 flights were delayed and 14 were cancelled, making it one of the most chaotic days of the season. Earlier, 11 flights were canceled at Srinagar Airport due to snowfall and rain on Sunday.
The situation does not seem to be improving in the coming months
With winter just beginning and dense fog blanketing much of northern and eastern India, aviation authorities are expecting more disruptions in the coming weeks based on past trends.
Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shows that the number of flight cancellations due to weather during December-January has fluctuated sharply over the last decade.
How big is the impact of weather?
It started at an average of 41.9% (average of both months) in 2014–15, increased to 54.4% in 2015–16 and crossed 60% in 2016–17. After declining to 43.8% in 2018–19, it increased again to 60.5% in 2019–20.
The highest figure was 83.8% in 2022-23, followed by 73.9% in 2023-24. Although the latest figure for 2024-25, 51.2%, is down from recent highs, it is significantly higher than in earlier years.
In which month is the effect greatest?
DGGA's analysis of 11 years of data (2015-2025) revealed distinct trends for the winter peak months of December and January.
The incidence of flight cancellations due to inclement weather in December has decreased over time, from 75.9% in 2015 to 27.2% in 2024, although it increased to 81.1% in 2022.
However, in the last few years, an increasing trend is visible in January. Cancellations were just 32.9% in 2016, but this increased rapidly to 86.5% in 2023 and remained at 82.8% in 2024 and 75.1% in 2025.
January has consistently overtaken December in weather-related cancellations, indicating a change in fog intensity and cold wave patterns.
Also read: Fog strikes! 10 flights canceled at Delhi airport, more than 270 planes delayed