Eight Flights Diverted at Delhi Airport Amidst Strong Easterly Winds

On Tuesday evening, a significant disruption occurred at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport when eight flights were diverted. The primary reason cited was the presence of strong easterly winds, which created adverse weather conditions making landing challenging. Flights from airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express were rerouted to Jaipur.

The diversions took place between 1800 hours and 2000 hours. Following the diversions, IndiGo posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 2011 hours, stating, "Due to air traffic congestion in Delhi, flight operations are currently impacted. We understand that extended wait times, both on the ground and onboard, may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate your patience." This suggests that while winds were the initial cause, air traffic congestion might have exacerbated the situation.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is India's busiest airport, handling approximately 1,300 flight movements daily, highlighting the potential for widespread impact from such disruptions.

Impact The diversion of multiple flights can lead to increased operational costs for airlines, including additional fuel consumption, potential crew duty extension charges, and passenger accommodation or compensation expenses. This can cause temporary financial strain and passenger inconvenience, potentially affecting short-term investor sentiment for affected carriers. Rating: 5/10

Difficult Terms: Easterly Winds: Winds that blow from the east towards the west. Diversion: The act of changing the intended course or destination of an aircraft, vehicle, or route. Air Traffic Congestion: A situation where there are too many aircraft attempting to use the airspace or airport at the same time, leading to delays and potential safety issues.