Flying out of Delhi Airport? Expect delays until May 4

New Delhi: If you're planning to catch a flight from Delhi Airport anytime soon, brace for possible delays and disruptions through May 4, warned the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Friday.

The airport operator cited a combination of factors behind the expected disruptions — most notably, a change in wind direction to easterly and the temporary closure of one of the airport's four runways.

What’s Causing the Delay?

Runway 28/10 was closed on April 8 for an upgrade to its Instrument Landing System (ILS).


The shift in prevailing wind direction from westerly to easterly has further impacted operations, as only limited runways are available for departures and arrivals under such conditions.

This has led to an average of 240 flight delays per day, severely affecting one of the busiest airports in the country.

DIAL noted that when easterly winds blow, only two runways (09 and 11L) are available for departures, and just one (11R) for arrivals — constraining overall capacity. In contrast, westerly winds allow for more flexible use of runways in mixed mode.

What Should Travellers Do?

DIAL has urged all passengers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the most current updates on flight schedules. In a public advisory posted on X (formerly Twitter), it said:

“As per the India Meteorological Department forecast, easterly winds are expected between April 26 and May 4, which may impact flight operations. We are working closely with airlines and ATC to minimise the impact.”

Despite the challenges, the airport maintained an 83% on-time performance on Thursday.

The closed runway is expected to resume operations in the first week of May, which should ease congestion and improve flight schedules.