Flight operations at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, were disrupted on Friday after unfavourable weather conditions affected normal arrivals and departures. Several domestic flights were diverted, while airlines also cancelled services to cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Ranchi, and Varanasi, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Weather conditions around Shamshabad turned difficult from the early morning hours, with thick cloud cover, low visibility, and mild winds creating challenges for aircraft landings. As visibility dropped, pilots were forced to take precautionary measures and divert flights to ensure passenger safety. Airport officials confirmed that a few incoming flights were redirected to nearby airports, including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Nagpur.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorities closely monitored the situation as weather conditions changed rapidly. Officials said safety remained the top priority, and landing permissions were temporarily restricted until conditions improved. As a result, several flights that were scheduled to land on time experienced delays. Some aircraft reportedly remained in the air for extended periods before finally being diverted to alternate airports.
Departures from Hyderabad were also affected. Airlines cancelled multiple flights bound for Delhi, Chandigarh, Ranchi, and Varanasi. According to airline sources, the cancellations were not only due to weather disruptions at Hyderabad but also because of cascading delays and crew scheduling issues caused by diverted inbound flights. The combined impact led to operational challenges across several routes.
Inside the airport terminal, many passengers were left waiting for hours as updates on flight status were delayed. Some travellers expressed frustration over the lack of timely information regarding cancellations and diversions. Long queues were seen at airline counters as passengers sought clarity on their travel plans.
Airline operators stated that affected passengers were being offered alternative travel arrangements or full refunds, depending on availability and passenger preference. Staff were deployed at help desks to assist travellers with rebooking and other support services.
Airport authorities later said that weather conditions were gradually improving and flight operations were expected to return to normal in phases. Passengers were advised to check the latest flight status through airline websites, mobile applications, or customer care services before heading to the airport.
