Delhi Airport Terminal Collapse: Operations halted at T1, at least 130 flights canceled

On Friday, a section of the canopy at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 collapsed due to heavy rainfall, leading to an indefinite suspension of operations. Approximately 128 flights were canceled, and all activities were shifted to Terminals 2 and 3. "Flights to and from Terminal 1 have been closed till further notice," said the aviation ministry.

On average, about 200 flights of IndiGo and SpiceJet operate from T1. IndiGo has the larger share of flights. All arrivals and departures have been moved to T-2 and T-3.

The shuttle service from Delhi Aerocity Metro station to Terminal 1-IGI Airport has also been suspended.

Many passengers reported feeling hassled and most learnt that their flights had been cancelled after reaching the airport. Some had come from neighbouring states too.

Delhi Airport T1 Terminal Collapse: Passenger Experiences and Responses

Many passengers, like Pujitha Dronadul, only discovered the cancellations upon reaching the airport. "We didn't get any message or call or email from the airline about our flight status," she noted. Another passenger, Neeno Kaur, found out about her canceled flight after arriving for her scheduled departure. "My daughter is getting an award, and I don't know if I will be able to make it," she expressed.

Delhi Airport T1 Terminal Collapse: Immediate Measures by the Aviation Ministry

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu set up a "war room" to oversee operations at Terminals 2 and 3. He assured that affected passengers would receive refunds within seven days or alternate flights. "For those people whose flights have been canceled, they are being given either a refund or an alternate flight," he stated. The ministry also urged airlines not to increase fares.

Delhi Airport T1 Terminal Collapse: Investigation and Preventive Actions

The incident's investigation involves a technical committee assessing the collapse's cause. An initial inspection by IIT Delhi's structural engineering department is underway. "We don't want a similar incident to happen again," Naidu emphasized, highlighting plans for structural inspections across airports to prevent future occurrences.

Delhi Airport T1 Terminal Collapse: Compensation and Support

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh to those injured. The emergency response team promptly managed evacuations and provided medical assistance to affected individuals.

Before the incident, Terminal 1 was set to expand its capacity significantly. The disruption comes during peak travel times, exacerbating challenges for airlines operating from the already crowded Terminals 2 and 3. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and work towards restoring normalcy while implementing measures to enhance safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

(With inputs from TOI)