Delhi Airport Flight Disruptions: 97 Flights Cancelled, 150 Delayed

NEW DELHI- Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) cancelled 97 flights and delayed 150 on May 11, 2025, due to regional airport closures.

The disruptions, linked to India-Pakistan Tensions, prompted heightened security measures at Delhi (DEL).

Photo: Sandeep/ atc spotter

Flight Disruptions at Delhi Airport

On May 11, 2025, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) faced significant disruptions, with 97 flights cancelled—96 domestic (44 arrivals, 52 departures) and one international Air India (AI) flight to Tel Aviv (TLV), flight AI-139.

Over 150 flights, primarily operated by airlines like IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI), were delayed by an average of 15 minutes, per FlightRadar data.

The cancellations stemmed from the closure of 32 airports in northern and western India, including Srinagar (SXR) and Amritsar (ATQ), effective from May 9 to 05:29 IST on May 15, 2025, due to India-Pakistan tensions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) cited “operational reasons” for the closures, triggered by Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks on May 8–9, following India’s Operation Sindoor strikes on terror camps.

Delhi (DEL), India’s busiest airport, remained operational alongside Dehradun (DED), Lucknow (LKO), and Jaipur (JAI), but handled increased traffic, exacerbating delays.

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Enhanced Security Measures

The BCAS intensified protocols at Delhi Airport (DEL) on May 8, mandating Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) for all passengers, banning terminal visitor entry, and increasing vehicle and baggage screenings. The CISF, as of May 10, expanded its role to oversee cargo operations and In-line Hold Baggage Screening Systems (ILHBSS) at 69 airports, including Delhi (DEL).

CISF’s Ajay Dahiya confirmed random checks and access control to secure critical facilities, a shift from prior limited oversight.

Airlines Advice

Airlines like IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI) advised passengers to arrive 3 hours early at Delhi (DEL) to accommodate longer security processing.

These measures, while ensuring safety, contributed to delays, with 113 flights delayed at Delhi (DEL) by 9 a.m. on May 7.

Photo: GMR Delhi International Airport

Airport Closures

The closure of 32 airports in response to Pakistan’s attacks on Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan, intercepted by India’s air defences.

The AAI issued Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) for closures until May 15, affecting 430 flights nationwide on May 8, per PTI.

A Saturday ceasefire agreement paused military actions, but airspace restrictions persisted, disrupting 3% of India’s daily flights.

International carriers like United Airlines (UA) cancelled Delhi (DEL) services, and Qatar Airways (QR) suspended Pakistan routes, rerouting via the Arabian Sea, adding 1–2 hours to flights. The closures strained tourism and trade in border regions, with daily losses estimated at ₹500 crore.

Photo: Qatar Airways

Airline Responses

Airlines mitigated impacts by offering refunds and rescheduling waivers. Air India (AI) provided full refunds for cancellations until May 15 and waived fees for defence personnel until June 30, supporting duty commitments.

IndiGo (6E) and Air India Express (IX) extended similar offers for flights to Srinagar (SXR) and Chandigarh (IXC), urging passengers to check updates via social media. DIAL’s advisory emphasised coordination with airlines like SpiceJet (SG) to minimise disruptions at Delhi (DEL).

Passengers faced long queues and confusion, with FlightRadar24 reporting 71 departing and 34 arriving flights cancelled at Delhi (DEL) by 4 p.m. on May 9. Social media posts on X reflected frustration, with users urging better communication. Despite challenges, Delhi’s (DEL) operational status as a northwest hub ensured continuity for critical travel, supported by CISF’s heightened vigilance.

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