Dense fog and intense cold persisted in Delhi on Tuesday, December 23, disrupting flight and train services for the second consecutive day amid the city's ongoing winter weather crisis. Monday saw over 500 flights delayed and 14 cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport, with air quality at a very poor AQI of 373.
Following earlier disruptions like those on December 19, dense fog enveloped India's capital on Tuesday, sharply reducing visibility and impacting Republic Day 2026 rehearsals on Kartavya Path.
Rail services were hit with delays and cancellations across the region, as seen at New Delhi Railway Station, stranding passengers.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) with about 1,300 daily flights, continued facing challenges. Monday's fog caused delays for over 500 flights and 14 cancellations (six arrivals, eight departures, including international), with Flightradar24 data showing an average delay exceeding 30 minutes.
Air quality remained dire, with Monday's 24-hour average AQI at 373 ('very poor'; 12 of 39 stations 'severe'). This recurring winter pattern exacerbates Delhi's seasonal urban woes.