Delhi Airport Issues Advisory Amid Dense Fog; Passengers Advised to Factor in Extra Travel Time
New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has issued a passenger advisory on Saturday, January 17, 2026, warning of potential flight disruptions due to dense fog. The advisory urges passengers to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight updates and to allow for extra travel time to the airport.
The airport authority has implemented low-visibility procedures to manage operations during the foggy conditions. These procedures, including CAT III conditions, are designed to ensure safe flight operations when visibility is significantly reduced. CAT III conditions remain in effect, and airlines have been asked to maintain close contact with airport authorities for the most current information.
Visibility at the airport has been recorded as low as 350 meters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the fog cover is expected to persist into the following week. For January 18, 2026, the forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with shallow to moderate fog during the morning hours. The expected temperature range is between 7 to 9 degrees Celsius and 21 to 23 degrees Celsius.
Several airlines have also issued their own advisories. IndiGo, for example, cautioned that dense fog and low visibility over Chandigarh and Amritsar may also impact flight schedules. The airline stated that they are closely monitoring the weather situation and are doing their best to minimize disruptions. IndiGo has requested passengers to stay updated on their flight status through the airline's website or app.
On January 15, 2026, at least 58 flights were delayed at Delhi Airport due to dense fog. This included 14 arrivals and 44 departures. The IMD issued a red alert for 'very dense fog' across Delhi.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has also been a concern. On January 10, 2026, the overall AQI surged to 361, falling under the "very poor" category. On January 14, 2026, the AQI remained in the very poor category at 360. An AQI between 301 and 400 is classified as "very poor".
Passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airlines for up-to-date information regarding their flights and to factor in potential delays when making their travel arrangements.
