An 'orange' alert for thunderstorms, lightning has been issued in Delhi today.
Chaos ensued at the Delhi Airport after flight delays due to strong dust storms and gusty winds impacted hundreds of passengers yesterday. At least 205 flights were delayed, and at least 50 flights were diverted from their scheduled destination, sources said.
The average departure delay is of an hour, they added.
"After the dust storm, many flights were diverted and cancelled, and this caused inconvenience to passengers waiting for their flights at Delhi airport. The diverted flight took time to reach Delhi, and this led to rush at the airport," an official told news agency ANI.
While airlines such as Air India and IndiGo issued advisories on X, many frustrated passengers described their ordeal.
"We had a connecting flight from Srinagar to Delhi to Mumbai at 4 pm. Our flight was scheduled to land in Delhi around 6 pm but was diverted to Chandigarh due to a dust storm. It was then flown back to Delhi at 11 pm," a passenger onboard the Air India flight told NDTV.
"We were then asked to board another flight in Delhi for Mumbai at 12 am. We sat in the aircraft for about 4 hours and were then made to deboard again and go through the security check again. It's 8 am, and we are still waiting at the airport. Our flight has not yet taken off," the stranded passenger said.
A 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman onboard the same flight said, "We are stranded for over 12 hours. We could not land in Delhi due to the storm. But we have been waiting at the Delhi airport since 11 pm."
Passengers stranded at the Delhi airport.
Some fliers expressed their anger on X.
Posting a picture of the stranded passengers, a user wrote: "Most mismanaged, misinformed world class international airport, New Delhi...Worse than bus stand".
@airindia @MoCA_GoI @JM_Scindia Most mismanaged, misinformed world class international airport, New Delhi.#INDIRAGandhi.. worse than Bus Stand . pic.twitter.com/uDQilWIfxq
— Ärvind Lal (@lalarvi) April 12, 2025
"Indigo flight from Kolkata to Delhi got rescheduled 6times from evening. @IndiGo6E are you taking the passengers for granted?? People are already 6hrs late for this," a user wrote.
@IndiGo6E the 6E 2198, indigo flight from Kolkata to Delhi got rescheduled 6times from evening. @IndiGo6E are you taking the passengers for granted?? People are already 6hrs late for this, are you going to refund the amount now??
— Aritra Mukherjee (@AritraM27) April 11, 2025
Another said, "A flight from Delhi hasn't yet departed. You have boarded them on time and made them sit for two hours. Disgusting. Also as per rule you are supposed to provide refreshments if flight is delayed for more than two hours."
@IndiGo6E 6E 2211, 12Apr, DEL(T2)-VNS 0455-0625 HRS hasn't yet departed. You have boarded them on time and made them sit for two hours. Disgusting. Also as per rule you are supposed to provide refreshments if flight is delayed for more than two hours. @Ministry_CA @DGCAIndia
— स्वाति స్వాతి (@Swatiisme) April 12, 2025
"Stranded in Delhi Airport for more than 14 hours ...#AirIndia you have zero accountability and commitment towards yu our passenger... You don't deserve to be in this space," another flier said.
Stranded in Delhi Airport for more than 14 hours ...#AirIndia you have zero accountability and commitment towards yu our passenger... You don't deserve to be in this space
— Sumit K Nandi (@SumitKNandi) April 12, 2025
The only word for @airindia and @DelhiAirport
— Ashique Ali (@ashiquehunmain) April 11, 2025
Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic service
Air India in its advisory said that some of its flights to and from Delhi were either delayed or diverted due to the thunderstorm.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) April 11, 2025
Poor weather, caused by heavy thunderstorms and gusty winds, has affected flight operations across parts of Northern India. Some of our flights to and from Delhi are being delayed or diverted, which is likely to impact our overall flight schedule. We are closely…
In a response to passengers, the airlines said that the "airport team is trying their best to ensure a speedy resolution". "We request your patience and understanding," it said.
IndiGo and SpiceJet also said that some of their flights may be impacted due to the weather.
"While weather conditions in Delhi have improved, airside congestion continues to impact flight operations to/from Delhi. We encourage you to regularly check your flight status for the latest updates. Our ground team remains committed to assisting you and ensuring your wait is as comfortable as possible. We sincerely appreciate your continued patience and support as we work to get you to your destination smoothly," IndiGo said.
#6ETravelAdvisory: For the latest updates on your flight status, please visit: https://t.co/ll3K8PwtRV. If your flight is cancelled, you can explore alternate flight options or claim a refund here: https://t.co/51Q3oUe0lP pic.twitter.com/Y33ary3qxw
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 11, 2025
The Delhi airport also issued an advisory informing passengers of flight delays.
"Due to the inclement weather conditions in Delhi, some of the flights at Delhi airport are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused," it said.
Passenger advisory issued at 19:15 hours.#DelhiAirport #BadWeather pic.twitter.com/RzOovOtgkY
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 11, 2025
Dust storm in Delhi
A strong dust storm whipped up Delhi and adjoining areas on Friday evening, a day after a dust storm and moderate rain lashed parts of the national capital. The storm caused huge damage in some parts of the capital with branches of trees falling on roads, cars.
#WATCH | Delhi: Branches of trees fell after the National Capital experienced dust storm in several areas.
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025
(Visuals from Mandi House) pic.twitter.com/WDIFs9tv8r
Power supply across Delhi-NCR was also affected after branches of trees and other objects fell on the electrical lines. The areas affected included parts of Narela, Bawana, Badli and Mangolpuri, reported news agency ANI.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert in Delhi for thunderstorms and lightning through the day.
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