Dense fog blanketed Delhi and parts of northern India early Friday, sharply reducing visibility and disrupting flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Delhi International Airport has confirmed that operations are being conducted under CAT III conditions, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility with the help of advanced equipment and specially trained pilots. CAT III is an Instrument Landing System (ILS) category that permits significantly lower visibility and decision-height minimums, and in some cases enables near-zero-visibility landings.
According to the Delhi Airport statement, “Dense fog is impacting flight schedules, and operations are currently under CAT III conditions. Our on-ground teams are working in close coordination with all stakeholders to assist passengers and provide necessary support across all terminals. For real-time flight updates, please reach out to your respective airlines. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.”
Budget carrier IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, warning passengers of delays due to foggy conditions across the region.
In a post on X, the airline said, “Early-morning fog in Delhi and across parts of northern India is reducing visibility and disrupting flight operations. We seek your understanding, as this is a seasonal occurrence, and flight movements are being managed accordingly to ensure safe and orderly operations. Customers travelling in the early hours may experience delays or revised timings. We recommend checking the latest flight status prior to leaving for the airport.”
IndiGo added: “Our teams are actively monitoring weather conditions and coordinating with air traffic authorities. Wherever possible, we are making operational adjustments to minimise inconvenience and ensure customer support remains available across all key touchpoints. We will keep you informed and get you on your way as soon as conditions permit.”
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Ministry has cautioned that airport operations across North India may continue to be affected as foggy conditions persist.
Adding to the capital’s challenges, Delhi also recorded very poor air quality on Friday morning. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 387 around 8 am.
