Over 600 flights delayed at Delhi Airport amid bad weather, runway upgrade

In a passenger advisory, the airport had earlier underlined that delays were expected. “Due to shifting wind patterns in the vicinity of the airport, certain airline operations may experience delays,” read a post on its official account on X on Tuesday evening.

A combination of factors, including the early onset of easterly winds and the commencement of upgradation work on a runway, has been leading to delays at the airport.

Air traffic flow management measures were put in place 8:30 pm onwards on Tuesday, “by Air Traffic Control authorities to ensure safe operations, in accordance with international and regulatory protocols, keeping passenger safety as the highest priority,” as per an official statement.

Last week, Delhi Airport warned of unfavourable weather conditions as it cited forecasts from the India Meteorological Department, and said that easterly winds are expected between April 26 and May 4. “The change in wind patterns may potentially affect flight operations during the period,” it said.

When the easterly winds are in action, the airport can accept only 32 arrivals per hour; in contrast to 46 arrivals per hour during westerly winds, as per officials.

The airport had planned its upgradation work on Runway 10/28, anticipating that the easterly winds would start after May 15 to make it capable of handling low-visibility operations from both sides. However, contrary to the prediction, the easterly winds started in mid-April.
Last week, airport authorities postponed the runway upgrade work to June, and said that the runway would be reopened in May.

The delays have triggered public criticism. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently vented on social media over the inconvenience faced by passengers due to flight delays and disruptions.