Heavy rain in Delhi: Indian airlines issue travel advisory as weather wreaks havoc in capital

Dubai: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced disruptions as the weather wreaked havoc in India’s capital city. According to a travel advisory issued by the Delhi Airport in the early hours of Friday, three Delhi-bound flights were diverted – one to Ahmedabad and two to Jaipur – due to the inclement weather conditions. Operations have since resumed, however, the airport and airlines are advising passengers to exercise caution while heading over to the terminal and expect minor delays.

Major Indian carriers – Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet – have also issued passenger advisories, advising travellers to check the latest status before departure. 

India’s flag carrier, Air India, said, “Thunderstorms and gusty winds have affected flight operations in Northern India. Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed, which will likely impact our overall flight schedule. We are doing our best to minimise disruptions.” 

Meanwhile, IndiGo advised passengers to watch out for the waterlogging caused by the heavy rains and fallen trees, leading to slow-moving traffic in parts of Delhi, causing inconvenience to many. “If you’re flying today, please plan extra travel time and check your flight status,” the airline said. 

SpiceJet said, “We are experiencing massive ATC (Air Traffic Control) congestion due to bad weather in Delhi (DEL). All departures, arrivals, and their consequential flights may be impacted. Additionally, traffic movement to the airport might be affected due to waterlogging in Delhi.” The airline has also advised passengers to plan before departing to the airport. 

UAE carriers Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways have not alerted passengers about possible delays. Operations are continuing as normal. 

The heavy rains also led to a tragic accident in Najafgarh where four people, including three children, lost their lives after a house collapsed due to the downpour.