• Air India Fog Care allows free rebooking or refund for fog-affected Delhi flights.
• Fog season peaks between mid-December and early February, with visibility dropping below 50 metres.
• Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Amritsar, Patna and Varanasi are the most brutally hit.
• Defence travellers can reschedule Delhi fog-affected Air India flights within 72 hours at no cost.
• Passengers who booked through travel partners can rebook or get refunds through the original agent.
• A buffer time of 4 to 6 hours is advised when connecting through Delhi or Lucknow.
• Airlines send SMS and email alerts for predicted fog disruptions.
• udChalo offers live status, rebooking support and defence verified fares.
• Afternoon departures are safer than early morning winter flights.
• CAT III-enabled airports like Delhi still face congestion-related delays.

Winter fog is a predictable challenge across northern India. From mid-December to early February, dense fog lowers visibility and affects flight operations at major airports. For defence personnel travelling for leave, temporary duty, compassionate cases or postings, these delays can lead to tight connections and missed reporting timelines.

This year, Air India’s Fog Care initiative gives passengers greater flexibility to reschedule flights affected by fog without extra charges. This advisory explains the latest updates and how defence travellers can navigate fog season with ease.

Air India has launched a dedicated Fog Care service to help passengers manage disruptions caused by dense winter fog. If a domestic Air India flight to or from Delhi is impacted, travellers can rebook the affected part of their journey at no additional cost.

Under Fog Care, passengers can:

• Rebook on any Air India flight on the exact origin and destination within the next 72 hours
• Cancel and receive a full refund if the booking is impacted by fog
• Modify bookings made through the Air India website or app directly online
• Contact the original booking partner for bookings made through travel agents
• Call customer support for assistance with rebooking or refund options

This helps passengers avoid long airport queues and unnecessary travel during low-visibility conditions.

Dense fog reduces runway visibility below safe limits for takeoff and landing. Even with CAT III B systems at Delhi, Lucknow, and Jaipur, aviation operations can still slow down because of:
• Ground congestion
• Aircraft parking delays
• Crew duty time limits
• Safety restrictions on taxiway movement

• Delhi IGI Airport
• Chandigarh Airport
• Lucknow Airport
• Varanasi Airport
• Amritsar Airport
• Patna Airport
• Jaipur Airport

These locations form the primary fog belt of northern India and frequently see delays during early morning and late-night hours.

Defence personnel often travel at short notice for duty movements. Fog-related disruptions can complicate reporting timelines, connecting flights and LTC travel.

The Fog Care initiative helps by:
• Allowing free same-sector rebooking within 72 hours
• Providing full refunds for fog-affected flights
• Reducing uncertainty when travelling from fog-prone bases
• Allowing passengers to skip early morning visibility issues
• Enabling safer planning for LTC journeys

For hassle-free booking and real-time updates, defence personnel can use udChalo’s flight portal here:
https://www.udchalo.com/flights

1. Choose Fog Safe Flight Timings

• Avoid 4 am to 9 am departures when fog is heaviest
• Prefer 11 am to 4 pm flights for better visibility
• Choose direct flights instead of connections through Delhi

2. Use udChalo for Smart Winter Bookings

Booking through udChalo offers:
• Verified defence fares
• Easy date change options
• Live delay alerts
• Support for rebooking and refunds during fog disruptions

3. Monitor Flight Status Regularly

Air India, IndiGo, Vistara and other airlines send real-time SMS and email alerts. Passengers should enable notifications for every booking.

4. Keep Buffer Time for LTC and Reporting

Fog can cause delays of 2 to 6 hours. Defence travellers should plan one extra day during leave or movement.

5. Understand CAT III Operations

Delhi and a few other airports can land aircraft even with 50 metres of visibility, but delays still occur due to ground restrictions.

6. Use udChalo Holidays for Fog Safe Getaways

For winter vacations, consider southern or western cities that experience minimal fog.

Fog season affects air travel every year, but Air India’s Fog Care initiative makes it easier for passengers to manage their plans without stress. Defence personnel can stay prepared by choosing fog-safe timings, using udChalo’s travel support and staying updated through airline alerts.