In an unprecedented disruption, over 460 flights departing from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were delayed on Monday, April 28, due to a combination of unpredictable weather patterns and ongoing runway upgradation work. According to real-time data from Flightradar24, this accounts for nearly 70% of all scheduled departures, alongside 50% of incoming flights facing delays.
Passengers were seen waiting in long queues, many visibly distressed, as airlines scrambled to accommodate updated takeoff slots. The domino effect of the delays caused missed connections, extended layovers, and last-minute hotel bookings, creating widespread travel chaos.
What Went Wrong at India’s Busiest Airport?
According to the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorities, a rare convergence of two key issues triggered this operational disruption:
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Shifting Wind Patterns (Easterly Winds):
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Delhi generally experiences westerly winds, which allow the airport to handle up to 46 arrivals per hour.
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However, starting mid-April, easterly winds took over earlier than forecasted, reducing arrival capacity to 32 flights per hour.
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This reduction of 30% in handling capacity had a cascading effect on both arrivals and departures.
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Runway 10/28 Repair Work:
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The airport began upgradation work on Runway 10/28, aiming to enable low-visibility operations from both ends.
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Authorities had anticipated the easterly winds to begin only after May 15 and scheduled work accordingly.
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Unfortunately, the winds shifted earlier than expected, forcing a mismatch between weather and runway availability.
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Three Advisories Issued by IGI Airport
In light of the situation, IGI Airport issued three separate advisories on Monday, alerting passengers to potential delays due to technical and weather-related issues. One of the advisories posted on X (formerly Twitter) stated:
“Due to shifting wind patterns in the vicinity of the airport, certain airline operations may experience delays. Passenger safety remains our top priority.”
Another advisory added that air traffic flow management measures had been implemented from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM and again from 10:30 PM to 2:30 AM. These slots were monitored and adjusted by ATC in line with international safety protocols.
Passenger Reactions and Political Criticism
The delays triggered an avalanche of complaints on social media. Stranded travelers shared photos and videos of chaotic airport scenes under hashtags like #DelhiAirportDelays and #IGIChaos.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly criticized the poor planning and lack of communication by airport authorities. His viral post read:
“Runway repairs during the peak travel season and misjudged weather conditions — a disaster of planning. Thousands stuck. IGI needs better coordination!”
Following public outcry and mounting media pressure, airport authorities announced that runway repair work would be postponed to June, while Runway 10/28’s reopening would be preponed to early May.
What’s Being Done Now?
Authorities are taking swift measures to restore order:
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Reassessing Wind Forecasts: Coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been increased to improve forecasting accuracy.
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Revised Runway Schedules: With Runway 10/28 set to reopen by early May, officials hope to restore normal flight frequency within a week.
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Airline Coordination: Airlines have been advised to streamline check-ins, prioritize delayed flights, and offer compensation where necessary.
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ATC Flow Management: Enhanced flight management protocols are now in place to avoid congestion and improve airspace utilization.
How It Affects Travelers and Airlines
For passengers, this delay means:
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Longer waiting times at terminals.
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Flight rescheduling without prior notice.
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Missed connections and increased travel costs.
For airlines, it means:
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Higher fuel costs due to longer taxiing and air holding.
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Schedule disruptions and cascading impacts on national and international routes.
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Damage to brand reputation, especially on social media.
Looking Ahead: Will It Happen Again?
Experts believe this situation could have been avoided with better seasonal forecasting and adaptive runway scheduling. The premature shift in wind patterns was not completely unforeseen, and critics argue that contingency plans should have been in place earlier.
The Delhi airport handles more than 1,200 flight movements daily, making it the busiest in India. With summer travel surging, airport resilience and predictive planning will be critical in the coming weeks.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for India’s Aviation Infrastructure
The mass delays at IGI Airport serve as a reminder that weather volatility, infrastructure work, and air traffic management must be tightly coordinated in India’s increasingly busy aviation sector. While authorities have pledged corrective steps, the situation highlights the need for more dynamic contingency planning, especially in peak seasons.
For now, passengers traveling through Delhi are advised to check their flight status frequently, arrive well in advance, and stay in touch with their airlines for real-time updates.