- Heavy rain disrupted more than 400 flights at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday.
- At least 11 flights were diverted to Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh during the afternoon.
- IndiGo, Air India, and GMR told passengers to check flight status and allow extra travel time.
IndiGo and Air India warned passengers Friday after heavy rain disrupted more than 400 flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Water pooled on terminal approach roads and forecourts, slowing access as aircraft were delayed and diverted.
The disruption unfolded on Friday, September 4, 2026, as intense rain affected airport operations and roads around the facility. At least 11 flights moved to alternate airports, according to flight-tracking data.
Free toolB1/B2 Tourist Visa Stay Calculator online
The diversions sent five flights to Jaipur, four to Lucknow, one to Ahmedabad and one to Chandigarh. They occurred between 3:30 pm and 5 pm.
Passengers faced delays on the ground, too. Water accumulated around terminal access points, while congestion made the trip to the airport slower than usual.
The airline advisories came as the India Meteorological Department maintained a red alert for heavy rainfall in parts of Delhi-NCR. The warning also covered thunderstorms and strong winds.
The airport operator said teams were coordinating with airlines and other groups to keep flights moving. It also advised travelers to obtain the latest information from their airlines.
The disruption affected both flights and terminal access
| Operational measure | Reported figure or location |
|---|---|
| Delayed flights | More than 400 |
| Diverted flights | At least 11 |
| Diversions to Jaipur | 5 |
| Diversions to Lucknow | 4 |
| Diversions to Ahmedabad | 1 |
| Diversions to Chandigarh | 1 |
| Daily airport movements | More than 1,300 |
The scale of the delays affected a major aviation hub that handles more than 1,300 flight movements daily. The diversion period fell within the afternoon weather disruption, when waterlogging also spread across airport access areas.
IndiGo said, “Bad weather over Delhi has impacted flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly”.
The carrier asked passengers to check their flight status before setting out and to allow additional time for the journey. It separately said adverse conditions could cause delays in flight operations and directed travelers to its website or app.
Air India issued a shorter warning: “Flight operations to and from Delhi may be affected due to adverse weather conditions today”.
Flooded forecourts slowed the journey before passengers reached the terminals
Waterlogging affected the T2 and T3 forecourts, approach roads and areas near the airport. Some passengers had to pass through accumulated water close to terminal facilities, while traffic congestion slowed airport access.
The airport operator said, “The accumulated water was cleared within some time,” referring to water that collected on the approach road and forecourt areas. The statement indicated that the pooling did not remain in place indefinitely, although the rain continued to affect movement around the facility.
GMR, the airport operator, said its ground teams were working with other groups to maintain passenger operations. It advised travelers to contact their respective airlines for current flight information.
The operator said, “Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations are impacted at Delhi Airport. Our on-ground teams are diligently working with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and efficient passenger experience. For the latest flight information, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines.”
That guidance puts the immediate decision with each airline’s live schedule. Departure times, aircraft locations and diversion arrangements can change as weather conditions develop.
The weather warning remained in place as operations recovered
The meteorological department’s red alert covered Delhi-NCR on Friday, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds in the forecast. Additional rain was forecast for Saturday, September 5.
The airport’s passenger message remained focused on safety. It said, “We remain committed to ensuring a safe and seamless experience for all passengers.”
The second day of the weather system created a fresh reason for travelers to check schedules before leaving home. Road conditions around the terminals could add time even when a flight remained scheduled to operate.
Reports gave different totals for the diversions. One account recorded nine flights, including four to Jaipur, four to Lucknow and one to Ahmedabad, during a window from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
The higher tally counted at least 11 diversions and included Chandigarh among the destinations. Both accounts described a concentrated afternoon disruption rather than a full-day diversion pattern.
Passengers traveling through Delhi on Saturday should check directly with their airline before starting the airport journey and allow extra time for approach roads and terminal access.
