New Delhi, Apr 20 A Delhi-bound IndiGo flight carrying Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was diverted to Jaipur on Saturday night, sparking sharp criticism from the CM over what he described as ‘operational chaos’ at Delhi airport.
Taking to X late at night, Abdullah vented his frustration over the experience. “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 here,” he wrote.
The Chief Minister also posted a selfie while standing on the aircraft’s steps, having briefly deplaned to get some fresh air, as passengers remained stranded aboard the aircraft at Jaipur well past midnight.
Delhi Airport clarifies flight diversion
Delhi Airport authorities on Sunday issued a clarification about the diversion of a Delhi-bound IndiGo flight carrying Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. They cited operational issues due to ongoing infrastructure work and changes in wind patterns.
This came after Abdullah took to social media to express his frustration over the delay and diversion.
In response, Delhi Airport said that it had already issued several advisories about the “unseasonal changing” wind patterns. It added that runway 10/28 had been closed since April 8 for Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrades after consultations with all stakeholders and based on past wind data.
“Dear Mr. Abdullah, as you may be aware, we’ve issued several advisories regarding the unseasonal changing wind patterns in Delhi. Runway 10/28 has been closed for ILS upgradation since 8th April, following consultation with all stakeholders and based on historical wind patterns,” the airport said in its reply to Abdullah’s post.
The airport further explained that these changes may have caused flight diversions and were necessary to ensure passenger safety.
“Additionally, the shift toward more easterly winds and the use of converging runways for easterly arrivals have led to temporary capacity constraints during this upgrade. These conditions at times result in flight diversions to ensure passenger safety. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused,” it said.
Earlier, the IndiGo flight carrying Omar Abdullah, which was heading to Delhi, was diverted to Jaipur on Saturday night. It finally landed in Delhi in the early hours of Sunday.
According to reports, the flight left Jaipur at 2:00 am, and Omar Abdullah confirmed that it landed in Delhi just after 3:00 am.
“In case anyone is wondering, I got to Delhi just after 3:00 AM,” Abdullah posted on X, replying to his earlier complaint in which he had sharply criticised Delhi Airport.
“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 here,” he wrote.
https://x.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1913678711955787949
Abdullah also shared a selfie while standing on the aircraft stairs, saying he had stepped out briefly to get some fresh air. (ANI)
