As the winter season tightens its grip on the northernmost reaches of the country, air travel to the high-altitude desert of Ladakh has hit a significant roadblock. On Monday, January 5, 2026, IndiGo issued an urgent travel advisory for passengers traveling to and from Leh, citing heavy snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions that have brought flight operations to a temporary standstill.
The advisory, posted to the airline’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, confirmed that both take-offs and landings at the Kushok Bakula Rimpoche Airport have been put on hold. This disruption has left hundreds of travellers facing extended wait times, both inside terminal buildings and onboard aircraft already positioned on the tarmac.
A proactive approach to challenging weather
In its statement, IndiGo emphasized a proactive operational strategy to minimize further delays once the skies clear. The airline noted that its ground teams may complete boarding formalities in advance, even while operations remain paused. This “pre-boarding” ensures that as soon as the mandatory weather clearance is received from Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft can depart immediately without the traditional 30-to-40-minute boarding delay.
“We understand that delays can be inconvenient, and we assure you that our team remains fully committed to making your wait as comfortable as possible,” the airline stated. For those trapped in the biting cold of Leh – where temperatures have recently plummeted to as low as minus 10.6 degrees Celsius – the commitment to passenger comfort is a critical priority for the airline’s ground staff.
While IndiGo focused on the operational side of the delay, SpiceJet issued a broad warning regarding the ripple effect of the weather. According to SpiceJet’s official post on X, “Due to bad weather in Leh (IXL), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected.” The airline specifically noted that the disruption at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport would likely trigger delays across its broader network, and as per the airline’s instructions, passengers were “requested to keep a check on their flight status” before heading to the airport.
According to reports from LiveMint, this is the second major disruption for the airline in the region this week, following a similar bad-weather alert issued for its Gorakhpur (GOP) operations earlier this morning.
Planning ahead: The ‘Plan B’ for passengers
With the unpredictability of Himalayan weather, IndiGo has urged all travelers to check their latest flight status before leaving for the airport. For those whose itineraries have already been disrupted by the snowfall, the airline is offering its “Plan B” services. This allows affected customers to either rebook their flights at no additional cost or request a full refund through the airline’s dedicated portal.
The disruption in Leh comes amidst a broader wave of winter-related travel issues across North India. While the mountains are grappling with snow, the plains – including major hubs like Delhi and Chandigarh – are currently struggling with dense fog and low visibility.
According to meteorological experts, the current snowfall in Ladakh is part of a Western Disturbance that is expected to persist for the next 24 to 48 hours. Travelers are advised to remain patient and stay tuned to official airline communications, as the reopening of the Leh runway remains entirely dependent on the intensity of the ongoing snow.
