Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport faced major disruptions on Friday, with over 130 flights cancelled due to a temporary airspace closure. According to official sources, a total of 66 domestic departures and 63 domestic arrivals were grounded between 5 am and 2 pm. In addition, 5 international departures and 4 international arrivals were also cancelled during this period. The airspace restrictions, which were pre-scheduled, were likely implemented as part of heightened security measures in light of ongoing national developments or VIP movement, though airport authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the exact reason for the closure.
Passengers traveling on affected routes faced long delays and were advised by airlines to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. Airlines also issued alerts on their websites and social media handles, encouraging customers to consider rescheduling or seeking refunds. The abrupt cancellations led to crowding at the terminals and prompted calls for clearer communication and better contingency planning in the future.
Such large-scale disruptions underline the need for improved coordination between aviation authorities and airlines to minimize the impact on passengers during scheduled airspace closures or other security-related operations.