Heavy Rains Disrupt Airlines Across India, Causing Widespread Flight Cancellations

(MUMBAI) Relentless August rain disrupted flights across India on Monday, with the worst delays and diversions at Mumbai International Airport. As of August 18, major carriers — including IndiGo, Air India, Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet — reported widespread delays and flight cancellations after waterlogging, poor visibility, and heavy traffic clogged access roads to the airport. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Mumbai and nearby districts for August 18–19, warning of “extremely heavy rainfall” and continued disruption.

The weather forced at least nine go-arounds at Mumbai International Airport on Monday and one diversion — an IndiGo Ahmedabad–Mumbai service that rerouted to Surat — when landing conditions deteriorated. Airlines said crews faced changing winds, heavy downpours on final approach, and runway occupancy spikes as aircraft spaced out for safety. Air traffic controllers kept arrivals at greater intervals, which led to ground queues and longer waits at departure gates. Airlines also cautioned that ground handling times were slower due to standing water around some bays.

With road travel snarled, carriers urged passengers to leave early for the airport and to check flight status often. IndiGo issued multiple advisories telling travelers to plan for extra time and to use official apps for the latest updates. City services struggled too: Mumbai’s suburban trains ran 8–20 minutes late, while major corridors like the Western Express Highway and the Andheri Subway saw heavy waterlogging. Even where planes could depart, delayed crews and displaced aircraft created knock-on delays across the schedule.

The ripple effects extended beyond Mumbai. Airlines flagged slower operations and possible delays in Bengaluru, Goa, and Pune as storms moved along the western coast. Akasa Air warned customers in these cities to plan for additional travel time and to expect day-of-flight changes. While no full airport closure was reported in Mumbai, operations remained “severely hampered,” with rolling delays through the evening.

Severe weather forces go-arounds and diversions

Rainfall intensity was high and sustained. According to IMD readings, Mumbai received about 177 mm in 6–8 hours on August 18, with several suburban pockets recording 150–180 mm in the same window. On August 17, some areas saw more than 200 mm in 24 hours, priming the ground for fast flooding when Monday’s storms arrived.

The IMD’s red alert covered Mumbai and surrounding districts — Thane, Raigad, and Palghar — with forecasters calling for heavy to extremely heavy rain through at least August 19. Official guidance remained focused on safety and essential travel only.

• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on August 18 to keep roads clear for emergency services.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the scale of the downpour and said district collectors had authority to direct relief and rescue operations.

For the latest bulletins, maps, and hourly updates, see the IMD site: https://imd.gov.in.

Impact on passengers and connections

For international passengers, the timing complicates trip planning. Travelers connecting through Mumbai for onward long-haul flights faced missed connections and, in many cases, rebookings onto later services.

• Families traveling for study terms abroad, workers beginning new postings, and visitors returning from summer breaks reported longer wait times at check-in and customer service desks.
• Airlines asked passengers to remain close to their phones and email, since day-of changes — including last-minute gate shifts and revised departure times — are common during strong rain spells.
• People heading to visa appointments or relocation deadlines were advised to preserve proof of delay from their airlines in case they need to reschedule meetings or services.

Policy context and airline resilience

India’s recent aviation reforms aim to help airlines cope better with shocks like weather.

• The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (effective January 1, 2025) updated licensing and aligned procedures more closely with global norms.
• The Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 (passed in April) is expected to lower leasing costs by 8–10% and improve access to capital.

These changes can ease financing pressures, giving carriers more breathing room when revenue drops or costs spike because of storms, diversions, and extra fuel burn. The government has also extended operational support under the RCS-UDAN scheme, including concessions on some airport charges and infrastructure help — useful when airlines must keep spare aircraft ready or provide crews and buses for disrupted passengers.

Experts caution, however, that better balance sheets alone won’t prevent weather-related schedule disruption. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the new leasing rules and regulatory updates should make fleets more resilient, but infrastructure and real-time coordination still determine recovery speed after intense storms.

• Meteorological authorities warn that the frequency of intense rain events is likely to rise, increasing the importance of drainage, runway surface management, and stormwater planning at major hubs.
• Passenger groups are pushing for clearer, faster updates from airlines and airports across multiple channels, especially when travelers face long road delays before reaching terminals.

Airlines active in Mumbai issued a range of messages:

• IndiGo: urged passengers to leave early and to use its app for rebooking options.
• Akasa Air: warned of slow check-in and baggage drop in Mumbai and affected regional stations.
• Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Singapore Airlines: posted notices about weather-related delays and advised passengers to confirm status before heading to the airport.

Most carriers emphasized that safety decisions — from go-arounds to diversions — are routine responses to low visibility and are made in coordination with air traffic control.

Outlook and city responses

Forecasters expect heavy rain in Mumbai and western India through at least August 21, which points to more day-to-day schedule changes.

• Airport operators are managing runway spacing conservatively when showers intensify.
• Authorities are steering traffic away from trouble spots on key roads when underpasses flood.
• City planners are accelerating drainage work and reviewing real-time passenger information systems to reduce the chance of gridlock during the wettest monsoon hours.

Important: With the IMD maintaining alerts, more short-notice changes are likely. Passengers should build in extra time and stay flexible until the weather system weakens.

What travelers should do now

1. Check your flight status often through the airline’s official app or website.
2. Leave early for the airport; road travel can take much longer during waterlogging.
3. Keep digital copies of tickets and delay notices in case you need to reschedule meetings or services.
4. If diverted or canceled, contact the airline directly for rebooking; many carriers are waiving change fees during active weather alerts.
5. For weather updates, follow IMD’s official bulletins at https://imd.gov.in.
6. If you have time-sensitive international plans (study starts, work start dates, visa steps), inform your school or employer about the delay and keep records of the disruption.

While Monday’s storms did not shut the airport, the combination of heavy rain, reduced visibility, and crowded airspace triggered delays across multiple airlines and routes. With the IMD maintaining alerts, expect more short-notice changes — especially for carriers such as IndiGo — and plan accordingly until operations stabilize.