Severe dust storm disrupts flight operations at Delhi airport; hundreds of passengers face long delays, diversions, and frustrating wait times as IMD issues ‘orange alert’ for thunderstorm and lightning.
New Delhi, April 12 – A powerful dust storm that swept across Delhi and NCR on Friday evening wreaked havoc on air travel, with dozens of flights delayed and at least 15 diverted due to low visibility and gusty winds. The disruption left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, with many expressing outrage over the lack of communication and assistance.
A day after moderate rain and another storm hit parts of the capital, Friday’s weather event triggered significant chaos — both in the skies and on the ground.
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
“We’ve been stranded for over 12 hours now. Our connecting flight from Srinagar was first diverted to Chandigarh, and after finally reaching Delhi at 11 PM, we were asked to board another flight to Mumbai at midnight — only to be deboarded at 4 AM and made to undergo security again,” said one frustrated Air India passenger speaking to NDTV.
A 75-year-old wheelchair-bound woman on the same flight shared a similar ordeal, stating that she had been stuck at the airport since 11 PM.
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Airlines, Passengers Vent on X
While airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet issued travel advisories on X (formerly Twitter), many fliers took to the platform to criticize what they described as “mismanagement” at the Delhi airport.
@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
“Indigo flight from Kolkata to Delhi got rescheduled 6 times. Are passengers being taken for granted?” asked one user.
“A flight from Delhi hasn’t departed. They’ve made passengers sit for two hours inside the plane without refreshments. Isn’t that against aviation rules?” wrote another.
One passenger posted a viral picture of stranded fliers, calling Delhi Airport “worse than a 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
Airport & IMD Updates
The Delhi Airport authority acknowledged the delays in an official statement Saturday morning, citing airside congestion despite improved weather conditions:
“We encourage passengers to regularly check flight statuses. Our ground staff is doing their best to assist,” the statement read.
#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…
#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 India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Delhi on Saturday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and winds gusting up to 40 kmph.
#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
Fallen trees, broken branches, and traffic snarls were reported across several parts of the capital due to the storm.
Tags:
Delhi Airport, Flight Delays, Dust Storm Delhi, Delhi Weather Alert, Air India Delay, IndiGo Reschedule, Delhi Thunderstorm, IMD Orange Alert, Delhi NCR, Flight Diversions India, Passenger Complaints, Delhi Airport Chaos