4 IndiGo flights cancelled, 13 diverted as rain disrupts Mumbai airport

NEW DELHI: Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flight operations at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Sunday, forcing the temporary suspension of runway operations for about an hour.

The weather disruption led to the cancellation of four IndiGo flights and the diversion of 13 incoming aircraft operated by various airlines, sources said.All 13 diverted flights were later able to return and land safely in Mumbai after weather conditions improved, the sources added.The disruption also triggered widespread delays across the airport. According to the latest data from flight tracking website Flightradar24, around 90% of departing flights were delayed by an average of 65 minutes, while 45% of arriving flights were running behind schedule, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.Earlier, Mumbai International Airport, jointly operated by the Adani Group and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), said adverse weather conditions had affected runway operations."At approximately 10.17 am, adverse weather conditions, including strong gusty winds of up to 42 knots and reduced visibility due to heavy rain, impacted runway operations."In line with standard safety procedures, runway operations were "temporarily suspended" to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft and ground personnel, the airport operator said.

Following an improvement in weather conditions, normal runway operations resumed after about an hour.According to sources, the cancelled IndiGo services were flight 6E 395 from Delhi to Mumbai, 6E 5273 from Mumbai to Indore, 6E 552 from Indore to Mumbai and 6E 6613 from Mumbai to Delhi.Responding to the disruption, IndiGo said it was closely monitoring the evolving weather situation."Bad weather over Delhi and Mumbai has impacted flight schedule.

We are closely monitoring the weather....we request you that you stay updated on your flight status," the airline said in a post on X.The airline, however, did not specifically mention the four cancelled flights in its statement.Air Traffic Control sources said Mumbai airport handles between 980 and 1,000 flights every day, averaging around 48 aircraft movements every hour, comprising 24 arrivals and 24 departures.