New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced widespread disruption on Monday, with over 200 flights experiencing delays due to an ongoing runway closure coupled with unfavourable easterly wind conditions.
The persistent operational bottleneck, which has gripped India’s busiest airport for weeks, reflects the fragile balancing act between infrastructure upgrades and rising air traffic demands. According to flight tracking platform Flightradar24, passengers encountered an average delay of 30 minutes. However, airport officials clarified that despite the mounting pressure, no flights had to be diverted to nearby airports, and all operations, though delayed, continued to be managed within Delhi itself.
The disruption stems largely from the temporary closure of the airport’s fourth runway, designated 28/10, which has been out of service since 8 April for critical upgrades to its Instrument Landing System (ILS). The runway is expected to reopen in the first week of May. Yet, the timing coincides with a seasonal shift to easterly winds over the capital, a weather pattern that is projected to persist until at least 4 May, according to the India Meteorological Department. In response to the compounded challenges, air traffic control authorities announced tactical measures on Monday, implementing flow management protocols between 2.30 pm and 6.30 pm to ensure safe and regulated arrivals. Officials confirmed that the actions were in line with international aviation standards and prioritised passenger safety.
The orientation of Delhi’s runways means that under easterly wind conditions, departures are primarily restricted to two runways (09 and 11L), while arrivals are consolidated onto a single runway (11R). This operational squeeze has significantly reduced Delhi Airport’s usual handling capacity, dropping from an average of 42 flight movements per hour to just 32. The consequence has been inevitable — delays averaging nearly 10 flights every hour during peak times. Airport authorities noted that with the combination of runway closure and wind-induced constraints, around 240 flights are marginally delayed each day. The volume of disruption has already begun to have ripple effects on both domestic and international connectivity, particularly ahead of the busy summer travel season.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which manages IGI Airport, had issued an advance warning to travellers on 25 April, alerting them that flight schedules would be adversely affected between 26 April and 4 May due to the prevailing easterly winds. Passengers have been advised to maintain close contact with airlines to stay updated on flight timings. This is not the first time Delhi Airport has grappled with significant operational setbacks this month. On 20 April, nearly 900 flights — 384 arrivals and 501 departures — were delayed amid changing wind patterns and infrastructural constraints. Earlier, on 12 April, another 498 flights were severely delayed due to a sudden and intense thunderstorm, highlighting the airport’s current vulnerability to weather-related disruptions.
Aviation experts pointed out that while infrastructure enhancements like the ILS upgrade are crucial for long-term efficiency and safety, the timing of such works must be carefully balanced against seasonal weather patterns and forecasted traffic volumes. As the national capital’s primary aviation hub, Delhi Airport handles over 1,400 aircraft movements daily, making any dip in operational efficiency significantly impactful across India’s broader aviation network. Officials maintained that despite the immediate turbulence, the upgrade works on Runway 28/10 are essential to improve landing accuracy, especially during poor visibility conditions. Once operational, the enhanced system is expected to bolster Delhi’s runway capacity, enhance punctuality, and reduce carbon emissions by minimising aircraft holding times.
Meanwhile, passengers have been bearing the brunt of the delays, facing extended waiting times inside terminals and in some cases missing connecting flights. Many travellers took to social media to express their frustration, with concerns also raised about increased congestion inside the terminals as delayed flights led to a build-up of passenger volume. Airport officials urged patience, reiterating that every effort was being made to manage the situation within regulatory norms. Additional ground staff have been deployed to assist passengers, while real-time updates are being provided through airport communication channels and public announcement systems.
While the current disruption is significant, it also underscores the broader need for resilient, future-ready airport infrastructure that can better withstand both climatic and operational shocks. Delhi’s situation offers a critical lesson for India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, where sustainable infrastructure planning will be key to ensuring smooth mobility in an era of growing travel demand. As Delhi IGI Airport works towards restoring full operational capacity in the coming days, the focus remains firmly on balancing immediate passenger needs with long-term aviation sustainability goals. Officials affirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation and will take further steps if necessary to ease passenger experience until the fourth runway reopens and wind conditions normalise.
