Omar Abdullah lambasts Delhi airport for flight diversion, DIAL says incorrect to blame airport
New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI): After Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday lambasted Delhi airport after his flight was delayed and diverted to Jaipur, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said it was incorrect to blame it for the current situation.
In an X post at 1.08 am on Sunday, Abdullah said, "Delhi airport is a bloody shit show (excuse my French but I'm in no mood to be polite). 3 hours in the air after we left Jammu we get diverted to Jaipur and so here I am at 1 in the morning on the steps of the plane getting some fresh air. I've no idea what time we will leave from here."
He also shared a selfie from Jaipur airport, standing on the steps of an IndiGo aircraft.
In another post at 3.40 am, Abdullah said in case anyone was wondering, he got to Delhi just after 3 am.
DIAL too took to X to respond. In a post at 8.09 pm, it said, "It is incorrect to blame Delhi airport for the current delays/diversions" and that airlines did minimal to no changes in their flight schedules despite capacity constraints due to runway upgradation works.
DIAL operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport, also the country's busiest airport.
Earlier in the day, DIAL regretted the inconvenience caused to Abdullah and said there are temporary capacity constraints due to runway upgradation and easterly winds.
It said the closure of runway 10/28 since April 8 for essential Instrument Landing System upgradation was planned well in advance four months ago, in consultation with all stakeholders and based on historical wind patterns.
It was agreed among all stakeholders including airlines and Air Traffic Control that whenever the easterly winds shift and the operational use of converging runways are limited, there will be temporary capacity constraints for arrivals, DIAL said.
"When these easterly wind situations have been arising in the past few days, airlines were advised, in accordance with pre-agreed plans, to adjust flight schedules. However, there was minimal to no changes made...
"Unfortunately this limited action or non-action has led to significant operational challenges for all stakeholders including Delhi airport and Air Traffic Control, and in the end impacted passengers significantly," it said in a series of posts on X.
A source at IndiGo said the flight was diverted to Jaipur due to congestion at the Delhi airport.
In the recent days, there have been flight delays at the Delhi airport due to closure of one runway for maintenance work and easterly winds.
In case anyone is wondering, I got to Delhi just after 3:00 AM. 🤬🥱🥱
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 19, 2025
May, with the remaining upgrade activities deferred for a month or so. Please be assured we have been working together with the stakeholders to minimize passenger inconvenience and have planned this well in advance.
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 20, 2025
Dear Mr. Abdullah, Further to our exchange of morning, would highlight that it is incorrect to blame Delhi airport for the current delays/ diversions. The fact is-
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 20, 2025
The closure of Runway 10/28 since 8th April for essential Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgradation, was (1/5)
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Thunderstorm hits Lucknow, IMD issues red alert across multiple UP districts
Lucknow: Shortly after the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of severe weather conditions in the region, a sudden thunderstorm hit Lucknow and adjoining districts on Monday morning.
The Indian Express reported that the skies turned dark around 8:45 am as strong winds lashed parts of the city. Incidents of tree falls were reported from several locations, disrupting traffic and normal movement.
The weather department said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely to continue over the next three hours across several districts.
A red alert has been issued for districts including Unnao, Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti and Lakhimpur Kheri, where moderate thunderstorms with hail and strong winds may damage trees, power lines and temporary structures.
An orange alert is in place for Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kanpur Nagar, Ayodhya, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur and Balrampur, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 60 kmph could lead to localised disruptions.
Major parts of the state remains under yellow alert, including districts such as Prayagraj, Agra, Bareilly, Aligarh and Moradabad, where light rain, lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas and trees during lightning, and secure loose objects.
