Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flight operations in both Mumbai and Delhi on Sunday, causing delays, diversions and inconvenience for passengers.
In Mumbai, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport temporarily suspended runway operations for nearly an hour after heavy rain, poor visibility and strong winds affected flight safety. According to the airport operator, runway operations were halted from 10:17 am to 11:17 am after gusty winds of up to 42 knots and reduced visibility made flying conditions unsafe. "At approximately 10.17 am, adverse weather conditions, including strong gusty winds of up to 42 knots and reduced visibility due to heavy rain, impacted runway operations. As per procedure, runway operations were temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft and ground personnel," Mumbai International Airport Ltd said in a statement. Flight operations resumed after weather conditions improved. The temporary closure led to major disruptions, with passengers facing an average departure delay of around 75 minutes, while arriving flights were delayed by at least 28 minutes. Flight tracking data showed that nearly 87 per cent of departing flights and 62 per cent of arriving flights were delayed. Around 3 per cent of inbound flights were cancelled because of the weather. Meanwhile, flight operations were also affected at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport due to bad weather. In a travel advisory, Delhi Airport said, "Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, flight operations are impacted at Delhi Airport." Airport authorities said their teams were working with airlines and other stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure smooth passenger movement. Travellers were advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport. The bad weather also forced the diversion of 15 flights, including 10 domestic and five international services, to Jaipur and Lucknow. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain and cloudy skies over the coming days, with intermittent showers expected in both Delhi and Mumbai. Authorities have advised passengers to keep extra travel time in hand and stay updated on their flight schedules.
