'I’m in no mood to be polite’: Omar Abdullah rips into Delhi airport over flight chaos

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's flight from Jammu to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur because of "traffic congestion" at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), resulting in heavy delays and frustration for passengers. Abdullah turned to Twitter to vent his displeasure, referring to the Delhi airport situation as a "bloody sh*t show". He posted a selfie during the makeshift halt in Jaipur, indicating the trouble experienced by passengers.

Flight information

The IndiGo non-stop flight from Jammu to Delhi took almost five hours to travel what is typically an hour-and-a-half flight. The flight was routed through Jaipur, and the passengers were told that the reason for the delay was because of traffic. Abdullah said that after three hours in the air, the flight was routed through Jaipur, and he didn't know when they would depart for Delhi. 

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 & 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… pic.twitter.com/RZ9ON2wV8E

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 19, 2025

Airport alert

The IGIA put out a Saturday morning advisory to the passengers that airlines would experience delays owing to shifting wind patterns near the airport. The airport deployed air traffic flow management procedures to prevent accidents, which resulted in late arrivals of the flights. The advisory had declared that these procedures will be operational between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm to enable safe operations according to international and regulatory guidelines.

Current problems in Delhi airport

The IGIA has been facing flight delays and diversions because of several reasons, such as upgrade works and runway repair. The airport closed Terminal 2 temporarily for upgrade works and shifted all operations to Terminal 1. One of the four runways was also closed for repair works, which added to the chaos. The airport has apologized for the inconvenience and requested passengers to remain in contact with their airlines for flight schedule updates.

Impact on passengers

The diversions and delays have resulted in a lot of inconvenience to passengers, such as Omar Abdullah, who had to spend additional time at the airport. The incident has also raised questions regarding the infrastructure of the airport and its capacity to manage air traffic effectively. Passengers have been requested to plan their travel accordingly and remain updated about flight schedules.

Problems at Delhi Airport in terms of flight delays

The problems at Delhi Airport in terms of flight delays and diversions have frustrated passengers, including celebrities like Omar Abdullah. Any upgrade of its infrastructure and measures to make operations safe are welcome, but passengers need a smoother ride. While the airport continues to struggle, the authorities should take sound measures to reduce disruptions and offer improved services to passengers.