02 January,2026 04:56 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Sources said several airlines took precautionary measures due to reduced visibility caused by fog. Representational Pic/File
As many as 66 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport on Friday after dense fog and poor visibility disrupted air operations in the national capital, reported the PTI.
Sources told the PTI that airlines cancelled both incoming and outgoing flights as safety conditions worsened during the morning hours.
Of the total cancellations, 32 were arrival flights, while 34 were departures, affecting hundreds of passengers travelling to and from Delhi.
Sources said several airlines took precautionary measures due to reduced visibility caused by fog. Flight operations were impacted despite improved infrastructure, as visibility levels dropped below safe limits for standard landings, according to the PTI.
India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has declared the period from 10 December to 10 February as the official fog season for winter operations.
During this period, airlines are required to strictly follow special operational guidelines to ensure passenger safety.
Under DGCA norms, airlines must deploy CAT-IIIB compliant aircraft and ensure that pilots trained for low-visibility operations are rostered during foggy conditions.
These measures help maintain flight safety when visibility is severely reduced.
The Category-III landing system is an advanced navigation technology that allows aircraft to land safely during heavy fog.
Category-III A permits landing when the runway visual range (RVR) is up to 200 metres and Category-III B allows landings even when visibility drops to below 50 metres.
Such systems play a crucial role in keeping airports operational during winter fog conditions.
Meanwhile, Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog and dense fog on Friday, sharply reducing visibility across many parts of the national capital. The poor weather conditions affected normal morning movement, even as Republic Day rehearsals continued at India Gate, as per the ANI.
Drone visuals from Sarai Kale Khan around 7:15 am showed extremely low visibility. Ground visuals from areas such as AIIMS, Akshardham Temple and other localities showed roads, buildings and vehicles covered in fog and smog. Cold wave conditions further worsened the situation, making travel difficult for commuters, as per the ANI.
Delhi's air quality stayed in the âvery poor' category for the second day of the New Year 2026. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 348 at around 8:00 am, close to the âsevere' category.
Several monitoring stations reported high pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 348, R.K. Puram 319, Rohini 315, and Mundka 324. Chandni Chowk stood at 340, while ITO recorded 292. Bawana and IGI Airport reported AQI levels of 227 and 219 respectively, indicating poor to very poor air quality across most areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi recorded a temperature of around 11 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. Very dense fog was observed during the early hours, and similar conditions were expected to persist through the day.
According to IMD, the city's maximum temperature is likely to remain between 15 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may range from 9 degrees Celsius to 11 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures are expected to stay above normal, while maximum temperatures are likely to remain below normal. Weather conditions are expected to improve from Saturday.
(with PTI and ANI inputs)
