Delhi Airport Struggles With Over 200 Flight Delays

On April 20 alone, there were a total of 384 delayed arrivals and 501 delayed departures, as reported by Flightradar24. Moreover, on April 12, the airport experienced significant operational challenges as 498 flights were delayed due to the unexpected severity of an intense thunderstorm that affected the region. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the average delay for affected flights reached approximately 30 minutes. The situation is likely to continue until May 4.

Despite the significant impact on flight schedules, airport officials confirmed that no flights were diverted to nearby airports, which could have further exacerbated the situation. Travellers are advised to monitor flight statuses and check with airlines for updates as the airport works to resolve the ongoing challenges.

What Led To Flight Delays In Delhi?

A convergence of natural and man-made factors led to considerable disruptions at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi on Monday. The ongoing closure of the fourth runway, coupled with prevailing easterly winds, resulted in the delay of over 200 flights throughout the day.

Weather Conditions

Due to the adverse weather, flights from SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Air India are experiencing significant delays. Delhi airport has reported an average delay of six minutes for incoming flights and about 47 minutes for outgoing flights. SpiceJet has suspended all flights to and from Amritsar and Guwahati, while IndiGo has issued travel advisories for Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, and Bengaluru routes.

Runway Closure

Since the temporary closure of runway 28/10 on April 8 for critical upgrades to its instrument landing system, flight operations at the airport have faced significant challenges. This has become particularly apparent as the wind patterns shifted from westerly to easterly directions, complicating takeoffs and landings. These operational disruptions have resulted in major delays, causing considerable inconvenience for passengers traveling through the airport.

Currently, the fourth runway is projected to resume operations in the first week of May. Airport officials are working to ensure that the runway is restored to service on schedule. Once the Directorate General of Civil Aviation gives its approval, the runway will be reactivated. However, it is important to note that the runway is slated for another temporary closure around June 15 to accommodate additional upgrades following the busy peak summer travel period.

In light of these developments, on April 25, the airport operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), issued a notice indicating that flight operations could be impacted from April 26 to May 4 due to the wind direction shifting towards easterlies. Passengers were strongly encouraged to verify their flight status with their airlines ahead of time to minimise any travel disruptions.