(DELHI) More than 300 flights face delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) today after heavy rainfall battered the city overnight and through the morning. Authorities say operations continue, but passengers should expect longer waits and allow extra travel time.
Airport officials confirm no diversions, but the knock-on effects stretch across the day, affecting both domestic and international departures and arrivals. Airlines report delays, some cancellations, and crowded terminals as flights stack up in queues.
What’s happening and why it matters
- A strong monsoon burst triggered widespread waterlogging and traffic jams on key roads to IGIA.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert in the morning, later easing it to yellow as rain intensity dropped slightly.
- Flightradar24 data shows an average departure delay of about 17 minutes, but several flights are much later and some passengers miss connections.
Key takeaway: Even if flights aren’t diverted, cumulative delays across hundreds of flights can cascade through the day, affecting connections, crew schedules, and airport services.
Airline advisories
- IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet urge travelers to:
- Check flight status before leaving home
- Arrive early
- Consider alternate routes due to flooded stretches and stalled traffic
- Airlines have flexible rebooking policies for affected customers and ask passengers to watch app notifications for real-time updates.
Voices from the ground
“We’ve deployed extra staff to guide queues and support families and elderly travelers,” a Delhi airport spokesperson says, adding that terminal operations remain “normal” in the sense that there are no mass diversions or closures. “Safety comes first. We’re coordinating closely with IMD and airlines.”
An IndiGo statement notes, “Weather delays are dynamic. Please track your flight and plan extra time for airport travel.” Air India and SpiceJet share similar notes, stressing safety and real-time updates.
Rain by the numbers
- Safdarjung: 78.7 mm in 24 hours ending 8:30 am
- Pragati Maidan: 100 mm
- Lodhi Road: 80 mm
- Pusa: 69 mm
- Palam: 31.8 mm
How this affects travelers
- Longer lines at check-in, security, and boarding; many passengers wait hours across terminals.
- Missed onward connections, especially for passengers traveling to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- Severe road delays. Waterlogging slows buses, taxis, and ride-hailing trips to IGIA.
Passenger rights and practical steps
Under India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules for domestic flights:
– Delays over 2 hours: airlines must provide free meals or refreshments.
– Delays over 6 hours: airlines must offer an alternate flight within 6 hours or a full refund. If the delay runs overnight, a hotel stay must be arranged.
– Compensation is not required when delays are due to “extraordinary circumstances” like severe weather. However, airlines must still provide care: meals, accommodation (when needed), and rebooking.
For international trips, EU Regulation EC 261 may cover flights to or from Europe. Compensation doesn’t apply for weather, but airlines must still provide care where rules require it. Keep boarding passes, receipts, and messages from the airline to support any later claims.
Immediate tips to reduce stress
- Check flight status every 30–60 minutes via your airline’s app or website.
- If you have a close connection, ask the airline now for options—earlier rebooking can save time.
- Pack a small kit with snacks, water, medicines, a phone charger, and a light sweater in your carry-on.
- For rides to IGIA, leave earlier than usual and ask your driver to avoid known waterlogged zones.
- If you’re due a meal or hotel, request it at the airline counter or through customer service chat and keep all receipts.
Bigger picture: Why IGIA is vulnerable
- IGIA handles around 1,300 flights a day. During peak monsoon, runway, taxiway, and apron movements slow due to visibility limits, slippery surfaces, and increased spacing requirements.
- City drainage issues add road chaos, delaying crew, catering, and passenger arrivals—compounding airport delays.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that large hubs feel weather shocks more sharply because small slowdowns ripple across tightly timed schedules.
What officials are doing now
- Delhi airport teams have staffed help desks and moved extra personnel to security and boarding zones.
- Airlines push alerts through mobile apps and social media.
- IMD continues real-time tracking with warnings for intense cells and updates on likely duration.
What could change next
- IMD forecasts show continued rain in the coming days; if bands linger, delays may continue in waves.
- Airport and airline leaders are reviewing response playbooks: more staffing on rainy days, improved drainage, faster alerts to passengers, and better coordination with city traffic control.
- DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation may review infrastructure resilience and care standards during extreme weather.
Human stories behind the numbers
Families returning from summer breaks wait on floors near charging stations, sharing snacks and power banks. Students heading abroad worry about missed university check-ins. Business travelers ask gate agents to stamp delay letters for employers. Most passengers understand the weather risk but ask for clearer, more frequent updates.
Passenger groups suggest simple steps to ease stress:
– Loudspeaker updates every 20 minutes
– SMS alerts in multiple languages
– Visible help desks in each terminal
If you’re stuck at IGIA today
- Find the nearest airline counter or service desk for rebooking options.
- Ask for meal vouchers if your delay crosses 2 hours.
- If the delay extends overnight, request hotel arrangements per policy.
- Keep photos of boarding passes, delay screens, and receipts.
- If traveling to the United States 🇺🇸 or Canada 🇨🇦 with a layover in Europe, check EC 261 care rules for the European segment; compensation won’t apply for weather, but meals and hotels may.
Official links and contacts
- For live airport advisories, check the Delhi Airport website. For broader weather updates, the IMD website provides alerts and rainfall forecasts. As an official source for rules and policy, the DGCA website offers guidance for airlines and passengers.
- If your flight involves Schengen transit and you need visa info for future trips, refer to official embassy pages. For Indian domestic air passenger rules, refer to relevant DGCA notices on delays and cancellations. For U.S.-bound travelers with ESTA issues, use the official CBP site. For EU-bound travelers, national aviation authorities publish EC 261 guidance.
- For airport services, Delhi Airport Helpline: +91-124-4797300.
No immigration forms are required for domestic trips within India. For international journeys, bring your passport, visa or eTA/ESTA, and any transit documents required by the country you pass through. Check embassy pages for official forms. For weather-related travel interruptions, there are no special immigration forms to file.
What to watch in the next 24–48 hours
- IMD updates on rainfall belts over Delhi and NCR.
- Airline schedule recovery: added sections, aircraft swaps, and crew repositioning.
- Ground traffic conditions, especially at peak hours and near underpasses prone to flooding.
Actionable checklist before you head out
- Confirm your flight status twice: once when you leave home and again en route.
- Carry extra time—at least 60–90 minutes more than your usual buffer.
- Save your airline’s customer care number and your booking reference.
- Keep receipts for food and transport; they may support care claims.
For official weather status, see the India Meteorological Department’s page for Delhi advisories on the IMD website. If you need to adjust travel plans, contact your airline first; they control rebooking and refunds for today’s delays. As the rain eases, operations should stabilize, but with over 300 flights affected at IGIA, recovery may take the rest of the day. Patience and quick communication with your carrier will help you move sooner.
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