New Delhi — The capital’s skies turned stormy on Tuesday as torrential rain swept across Delhi and the NCR region, leading to widespread waterlogging and a cascade of travel delays. The weather disruption in Delhi prompted a red alert from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), followed closely by a series of advisories from the country’s leading airlines.
The downpour, which began around 3:15 pm IST, forced multiple flight diversions and left the Delhi Airport scrambling to manage operations. In a public announcement on platform X (formerly Twitter), Delhi Airport cautioned passengers about potential delays, urging them to check flight statuses before heading to the terminal.
“Flight operations at Delhi Airport may get impacted,” said the advisory, citing “inclement weather conditions.”
Air India: Prepare for Delays, Expect Diversions
Air India, the Tata Group’s flagship airline, warned travelers of disruptions caused by rain-induced diversions.
#TravelAdvisory
Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, our flight operations are getting impacted with some diversions.Please check your flight status before heading to the airport: https://t.co/6ajUZVeeIM
— Air India (@airindia) June 17, 2025
IndiGo: Heavy Rain Slows City Traffic and Airport Flow
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier by market share, painted a vivid picture of soggy city conditions affecting not just flights but roads leading to the airport as well.
“Traffic in #Delhi is caught in a rainy day mood,” the airline said on X. “It’s one of those ‘slow and steady’ days. Leave early and check flight status on our app or website.”
SpiceJet: ATC Congestion Adds to Flight Disruptions
Low-cost carrier SpiceJet reported a different but equally significant hurdle — massive air traffic control (ATC) congestion caused by the rain.
“We are experiencing massive ATC congestion at Delhi due to rain,” the airline stated. “All departures/arrivals and their consequential flights might get affected.”
A Broader Challenge for Monsoon Aviation
The combined warnings reflect a larger trend of aviation vulnerability during India’s monsoon season. Weather disruption in Delhi has become a recurring theme every year, and the latest bout of storms highlights the pressure faced by ground operations and air traffic controllers during extreme weather events.
As ground teams race to streamline passenger movement and minimize delays, airlines are recommending early departures and close monitoring of flight schedules through apps and helplines.
For now, one thing remains clear: when monsoon clouds gather over the capital, the first casualties are often in the skies.
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