Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced delays today after the authorities shut one runway for repairs.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) blamed “limited action/non-action” by airlines for adjusting flight schedules during the planning stage in the last four months for the runway repairs.
Due to the airport’s usage of only one runway and ongoing repairs on the other, several airlines experienced delays in takeoffs and landings.
The problem was further exacerbated by an unanticipated change in wind direction.
The average take-off delay was forty minutes, and the average landing delay into Delhi was 38 minutes.
In the interest of passenger convenience and safety, the airlines had consented to quickly reschedule or cancel flights. In a post on X, DIAL stated, “This scenario was a component of the planning that was done with all stakeholders over the last four months.”
“In keeping with pre-arranged plans, airlines have been urged to modify flight itineraries when certain easterly wind scenarios have arisen in recent days, including today. Little to no adjustments were made, nevertheless. Regretfully, this lack of action has caused serious operational difficulties for all parties involved, including Delhi Airport and ATC, and ultimately had a major effect on passengers, according to DIAL.
According to the statement, they are collaborating with stakeholders and air traffic control (ATC) to lessen the difficulty that travelers are going through.