Sudden Winds and Runway Work Throw Delhi Airport Into Chaos as Over 400 Flights Delayed

Passengers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were left frustrated on Monday as flight operations were severely disrupted, with over 460 departures delayed and nearly half of incoming flights also affected. The chaos stemmed from an unexpected weather shift and ongoing runway repair work, creating a perfect storm of delays and inconvenience for thousands of travelers.

The disruptions, which impacted nearly 70 percent of scheduled departures, were linked to an early onset of easterly winds—a weather change that dramatically reduces the airport’s capacity to manage air traffic. During westerly winds, the airport can handle up to 46 arrivals per hour, but under easterly wind conditions, that number drops to just 32. This sudden change put intense pressure on flight scheduling and air traffic control.

Adding to the complications, one of the key runways at the airport was undergoing upgradation. The work was originally scheduled based on forecasts that predicted the easterly winds would begin after May 15. However, nature had other plans, as the wind pattern changed weeks earlier than expected, disrupting airport operations far ahead of schedule.

Airport officials responded by issuing multiple advisories throughout the day, warning passengers of possible delays and encouraging them to check with airlines before heading to the airport. Air Traffic Control also implemented flow management measures to ensure safety during reduced-capacity periods, especially between 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM, and again late at night.

Faced with growing frustration from travelers and public criticism, authorities decided to revise their plans. The ongoing runway work, which had been postponed to June, will now be wrapped up earlier, with the reopening of the affected runway moved up to May. This decision comes after mounting pressure from flyers who experienced significant delays in recent days.

While operations are expected to gradually normalize, the incident highlights how even a slight misalignment between weather forecasts and infrastructure planning can bring one of the busiest airports in the country to a near standstill.