Why Easterly Winds Result In Delays At Delhi's IGI Airport

The Delhi airport normally has 46 arrivals during westerly winds, however, the arrivals are reduced to 32 per hour during the easterly winds. 

The airport authorities last week warned of unfavourable weather conditions. 

Source : PTI

Around 462 flights departing from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed on Monday due to adverse weather conditions and ongoing repairs at one of the runways.

While around 70 per cent of the scheduled take-offs were delayed at the Delhi airport, around half of all the incoming flights also experienced delays, the airport authorities said. 

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued three advisories on Monday, cautioning the passengers of possible delays "due to shifting wind pattern in the vicinity of the airport".

"Due to shifting wind patterns in the vicinity of airport, certain airline operations may experience delays," the IGI Airport said in an X post on Monday.

Passenger Advisory issued at 21:53 Hrs#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory pic.twitter.com/8BmQDC8g29

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 28, 2025

The delays resulted from a combination of factors, including the early onset of easterly winds and the upgradation work on a runway, leading to massive delays at the Delhi airport.

Last week, the airport authorities had warned of unfavourable weather conditions. 

"We would like to inform you that, as per the forecast from India Meteorological Department, easterly winds are expected between 26th April and 4th May 2025. This change in wind patterns may potentially affect flight operations during this period," DIAL said in a post on X on April 25.

Why Easterly Winds Affect Flight Operations At Delhi Airport?

When easterly winds prevail, the departures at Delhi airport are limited to two runways (09 and 11 Left or 11L), with arrivals confined to just one runway (11 Right or 11R) due to the orientation of the runways.

The Delhi airport normally has 46 arrivals during westerly winds, however, the arrivals are reduced to 32 per hour during the easterly winds. 

Moreover, the Delhi airport has planned an upgradation work on Runway 10/28 from April 8 for instrument landing system upgradation. 

The fourth runway is also expected to reopen next month following a review meeting by Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. The runway will shut agains in mid-June for upgradation.

The authorities have expected the easterly winds to start after May 15, however, the winds started from April.