A massive dust storm that hit Delhi on Friday evening caused significant disruptions at IGI Airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and frustrated, especially at T3. The storm, which continued into Saturday morning, wreaked havoc on both domestic and international flight operations, creating an atmosphere of confusion and chaos.
Dust Storm Causes Chaos At IGI Airport Terminal 3
Over 50 domestic flights were delayed as the storm wreaked havoc on visibility and air traffic control operations. In addition, approximately 25 flights were diverted to alternative airports, and a further seven flights were cancelled due to the inclement weather, the Economic Times reported. This led to an unexpected congestion at the boarding gates.
The delays mainly happened because of the air traffic control issues, as the storm made it difficult for flights to land and take off on time. However, the real chaos began inside T3 at IGI Airport. Many took to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to voice their anger and frustration over the lack of communication from airlines and airport staff.
“I’ve never seen anything like this at an international airport. It’s worse than a bus stand,” one user wrote. The situation quickly escalated into a stampede-like atmosphere as passengers struggled to get information. Unfortunately, the flight boards were not updated, and there was a severe shortage of airline staff to assist. The miscommunication added to their frustration.
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Passengers Report Stampede-Like Conditions
“Utter chaos at Terminal 3. No updates, no help from Air India staff, and we’ve been waiting for hours,” another frustrated traveller tweeted. Some passengers claimed they had been stuck at the airport for over five hours with no explanation. The lack of communication between airport staff and travellers led them to feel restless.
One X user even shared that foreigners were laughing at the unorganised situation while elderly passengers were suffering in the chaotic crowds. “There’s literally no Air India staff to help the travellers. We’re all just stranded without any information,” one concerned traveller posted.
The situation led to numerous calls for intervention, with hashtags urging the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to step in and address the mismanagement. Some passengers even demanded immediate action, fearing that such mismanagement could escalate into a larger safety concern.
What was supposed to be a typical evening at the airport quickly turned into a crisis that left travellers feeling more like cattle than passengers at IGI Airport’s T3.
For now, passengers are left hoping that the incident serves as a wake-up call to prevent future disruptions.
Cover Image Courtesy: Prafulla Ketkar/X and Pallavi Saluja/X
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