Delhi woke up to a dense blanket of fog today, December 18, 2025, causing significant disruptions to both air and rail traffic. At least 40 flights have been delayed, and several trains are running behind schedule as visibility dropped sharply across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert, urging residents to remain cautious amidst the hazardous weather conditions.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been particularly affected, with airlines issuing travel advisories urging passengers to check their flight status and allow extra time for travel to the airport. Several flights scheduled to depart from IGIA were canceled due to poor visibility. Air India and IndiGo were among the airlines that grounded flights as a safety measure. Air India stated they are closely monitoring the conditions and will resume operations as soon as it is safe. IndiGo also advised travelers to factor in extra time for road travel to the airport.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said that flight operations are impacted due to dense fog, but that operations are returning to normal as runway visibility improves. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has suggested passengers stay in touch with airlines for real-time flight updates. Passenger facilitation teams are on duty across airports to provide assistance.
Indian Railways operations in the Delhi Division area have also been affected, with several trains delayed, some running several hours behind schedule. Passengers have been requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information.
The weather has compounded an already grim air quality situation in Delhi. The morning temperature dipped to 12 degrees Celsius. The IMD recorded 11 degrees Celsius at 6 am today. The weather office forecasts cloudy conditions during the day and night, with a 10% chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to range between 8°C and 22°C, with humidity around 93%.
Airlines have been providing real-time updates to passengers via email, messages, social media, and their websites and apps.
