You’re standing in Terminal 3, clutching a cold paper cup of overpriced coffee, and the screen suddenly flashes red. Flights from delhi cancelled. It’s a gut-punch. Honestly, it’s the kind of morning that ruins a week. Right now, in January 2026, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport isn't just a travel hub; it's a battleground between the weather, high-stakes diplomacy, and a massive regulatory crackdown on airlines that have been pushing their crews way too hard.
If you’re stuck there today, you aren't alone. Between January 21 and January 26, 2026, the Delhi airspace is basically on lockdown for several hours daily. Why? Republic Day rehearsals. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has officially suspended all take-offs and landings between 10:20 AM and 12:45 PM. That’s a tiny window, but it’s enough to knock over 600 flights off the schedule like a row of dominos.
The Fog and the "Not-So-Smart" Planes
Delhi's winter is legendary, and not in a good way for pilots. We’re currently in the middle of the "official fog window" (December 10 to February 10). Just a couple of weeks ago, on January 2, we saw 66 flights wiped off the board in a single morning.
Here is the thing most people don’t get: it’s not just about the fog. It’s about the certification. IGI has CAT-III-equipped runways. In theory, these allow planes to land with just 50 meters of visibility. But theory doesn't fly the plane. If your airline is using an older aircraft—common with some budget carriers—or if the pilot isn't specifically CAT-III trained, you aren't landing. Period. You’re diverting to Jaipur or Lucknow, or more likely, your flight is just staying on the tarmac.
Why IndiGo Just Got Hit with a 22 Crore Fine
If you think the cancellations feel more chaotic than usual, you’re right. The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) just slapped IndiGo with a massive ₹22.2 crore penalty on January 17, 2026. This wasn't for a one-off mistake. It was for a "systemic meltdown" that started in December 2025 and bled into this year.
The regulator found that the airline was stretching its pilots and cabin crew to the absolute breaking point. They had 65 fewer captains than they actually needed to meet the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. Basically, the rosters were so tight that one delayed flight in the morning caused a total collapse by evening because there were no "buffer" crews left. When you see your flight from Delhi cancelled today, it might be because the pilot who was supposed to fly it has legally timed out and there’s nobody to replace them.
The Republic Day Trap
If you’re traveling this week, the 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM shutdown is your primary enemy. Air India has already started moving its London and long-haul flights to 8:00 AM slots to escape the closure. IndiGo is pushing domestic departures into the late afternoon.
The "ripple effect" is real. If the airspace opens at 12:45 PM, every single plane is trying to leave at once. The taxiways look like the Gurgaon expressway at rush hour. If you have a connecting flight in Dubai or Singapore on a separate ticket, you are in a very risky spot.
What You Are Actually Owed (The Real Rules)
Airlines hate talking about this, but you have rights under the CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) Section 3, Series M, Part IV.
- The 24-Hour Rule: If they cancel your flight and tell you less than 24 hours before departure, they owe you an alternate flight OR a full refund.
- The Compensation Cash: If you choose the refund, you might also be entitled to compensation based on "block time." For flights longer than 2 hours, that’s up to ₹10,000 or the base fare plus fuel charge, whichever is less.
- The "Duty of Care": If you’ve already checked in and are waiting for an alternate, they must provide meals and refreshments. If the wait goes overnight, they owe you a hotel room and transfers. Don't let them tell you "it's just the weather"—if other flights are taking off and yours isn't because of a crew shortage, that’s on them.
The "FogCare" and "Plan B" Initiatives
Air India has been pushing its "FogCare" program hard this season. It's actually a decent move. If they see a fog wall coming on the forecast, they let you reschedule for free before you even leave for the airport. IndiGo has a similar "Plan B" link that appears on their website the moment a flight is flagged.
Honestly, use these. Don't wait to get to the terminal to find out your flight is dead. If you see a "Yellow Alert" from the IMD for the morning of your travel, check your email every hour.
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How to Not Get Stranded
The best way to handle flights from Delhi cancelled is to never be on one in the first place. This sounds sarcastic, but it’s about timing.
- Book the "Dawn Patrol": Flights landing before 09:00 AM usually beat the Republic Day airspace closure and often land before the heaviest fog settles in.
- The 14:30 PM Rule: If you can't go early, go late. Anything scheduled after 2:30 PM is generally clear of the NOTAM restrictions, though you might still face "cascading" delays from the morning mess.
- DigiYatra is Mandatory Now: Not legally, but practically. When 600 flights get rescheduled into a 4-hour window, the manual security lines become a nightmare. The facial-recognition gates are the only way to make a tight connection.
- The "Self-Transfer" Warning: If you booked a flight to Delhi on IndiGo and a flight out on Virgin Atlantic on separate tickets, and the first one is cancelled, you are on your own. Most airlines will not protect a connection they didn't sell you as a single PNR.
If you are stuck right now, your first move should be to the airline's "Manage Booking" page on your phone, not the physical counter. The line at the counter will have 200 angry people; the app is instant. If they offer a voucher, check the "expiry" and "transferability" before you click accept. Sometimes, a flat refund is better than a voucher you'll never use.
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Next steps for you:
- Check the NOTAM status: Verify if your flight falls within the 10:20 AM – 12:45 PM window for the upcoming week.
- Verify Aircraft Type: Look at your booking details. If it says "Airbus A320neo" or "Boeing 787," you have a better chance of landing in fog than on smaller, older turboprops.
- Download the Airline App: Enable push notifications. In 2026, the app usually knows a flight is cancelled 15 minutes before the gate agent does.