Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning disrupted operations at Chennai airport on Friday night, affecting 10 arriving flights and 12 departures, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. Two flights were diverted to alternative airports, while eight others circled in the air until weather conditions improved.
An Air India Express flight from Kolkata, carrying 194 passengers, was diverted to Coimbatore after it was unable to land in Chennai. An IndiGo flight from Kolkata, carrying 162 passengers, was diverted to Tiruchy during the period of severe weather.
The disruption followed heavy rain across Chennai’s suburban areas, with thunder and lightning affecting conditions around the airport. The report did not specify the duration of the diversions or the time taken for the affected aircraft to resume their planned journeys.
Eight other incoming flights were forced to remain in the air for an extended period while awaiting more favourable conditions to land. These flights arrived in Chennai one after another after the rain subsided and weather conditions improved.
The affected arrivals had originated from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Sri Lanka, among other locations. The disruption therefore extended beyond Chennai’s domestic connections, also affecting international air traffic using the city’s airport.
Twelve departing flights were delayed by up to an hour. Their destinations included Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchy and Sri Lanka.
The incident highlights the operational sensitivity of air connectivity to intense weather around Chennai, where a single period of heavy rain can affect arrivals, departures and aircraft sequencing. In this instance, the immediate impact included diversions, airborne holding and delays across multiple routes.
The report did not indicate any injuries or damage involving the aircraft. It also did not provide details of cancellations, passenger assistance arrangements or further disruption after the weather improved. The affected flights were able to land or depart after conditions eased, with the 12 outbound services reported to have faced delays of up to one hour.
