Srinagar: Kashmir-bound travellers using the Chandigarh route faced major disruption after dense fog and poor visibility threw flight operations off schedule at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. 60+ flights were impacted in what was described as the season’s worst disruption.
Core News Details: Cancellations, Delays and a Diversion
According to a Times of India report, the worst disruption was recorded on Friday (January 16, 2026), with 18 flights cancelled, 48 delayed, and one diverted.
The heaviest impact was during morning and evening peak hours. The report said an evening flight to Srinagar was delayed by over six hours, while several other departures also ran far behind schedule.
International operations were also affected. The report said outbound flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi departed late, leading to missed connections for some passengers.
The report also noted that an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad could not land at Chandigarh and was diverted to Jaipur due to inadequate visibility.
Local Impact for J&K Travellers: What You Should Do
For Srinagar-route passengers, The Tribune (Mohali, updated January 16, 2026) reported day-long schedule disruption, with many arrivals and departures running four to five hours late due to fog, poor visibility and operational reasons.
In a specific Srinagar update, The Tribune reported the Srinagar arrival (12:55 pm) was delayed and the Srinagar departure (2:10 pm) was rescheduled to 6:55 pm on the same day.
The Times of India report also advised travellers to check flight status with airlines before leaving for the airport as fog was expected to persist.
Passenger checklist (practical steps):
- Check live flight status on your airline app/website before leaving.
- Keep buffer time for check-in and security; gate/timing changes are common in low visibility.
- If you have a connection (Delhi/Mumbai), keep extra buffer and consider flexible rebooking where available.
- If delays stretch for hours, confirm the next updated departure time at the airline desk/app.
Key Highlights Box
- 60+ flights impacted at Chandigarh airport during dense fog disruption.
- 18 flights cancelled, 48 delayed, one diverted (Friday disruption).
- Srinagar sector hit hard, including a reported reschedule to 6:55 pm (Tribune update).
FAQ
A1: Yes. A Times of India report said an evening Srinagar flight was delayed by over six hours, and The Tribune also reported Srinagar arrival delays and a departure reschedule on January 16, 2026.
A2: Check the airline’s live status before leaving, reach the airport with buffer time, and use the airline app/desk for the latest departure time and rebooking options if delays continue.
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AUTHORSHIP & TRANSPARENCY
Sign-off: Reported by KittoNews Desk | Edited by Gowhar Nabi
Source Transparency: Information in this article is based on a Times of India report on the Chandigarh airport disruption and a Tribune News Service update (Mohali) on Srinagar-route delays/rescheduling.
Community Question: Have you faced repeated winter flight delays on the Srinagar–Chandigarh route this season? Share your experience in the comments.
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