Delhi’s IGI Airport Faces Unprecedented Flight Delays-500+ Flights Disrupted

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has been grappling with severe operational disruptions, with over 500 flights delayed during peak hours in recent days. The chaos stems from a combination of factors including ongoing runway maintenance, shifting wind patterns, and adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain and thunderstorms. The closure of the key Runway 10/28 for Instrument Landing System upgrades has significantly reduced the airport’s capacity, forcing reliance on fewer runways and causing bottlenecks.

The situation further deteriorated as easterly winds, pre-maturely, limited runway usage even more, compartmentalizing departures and arrivals into particular runways and causing on average 240 delays per day. The delays on certain days have climbed to more than 600 flights, with passengers experiencing extended waits, cancellations, and diversions. Complaints have poured in on social media from irate travelers, with most disparaging the airport's planning and updates.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has been making announcements and engaging with airlines in an attempt to deal with the situation, maintaining passenger safety as well as procedures. Nonetheless, the flight diversions will carry on until when the upgrading of the runway would be completed by early May, leaving commuters with anticipation for persisting hassle through one of the peak periods in travel within a year. 

Sources: Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Business Standard