On Sunday morning, severe winds and rain caused a portion of the canopy at Terminal 1’s arrival area at Delhi Airport to partially collapse.
The busiest airport in India, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), recently inaugurated its fully renovated Terminal 1 (T1) for flight operations. As part of the design’s natural reaction to severe weather, officials claim that the external tensile fabric at the arrival forecourt buckled under the force of the wind and rain. This system assisted in distributing the excessive buildup of water.
The tensile fabric canopy in the Arrival section of Terminal 1 (T1) of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) partially collapsed on the evening of May 24, 2025, when a severe thunderstorm with heavy rainfall and high gusts of up to 82 km/h hit Delhi. At least six people were injured and one person died as a result of this tragedy.
Direct Effect and Reaction
There were major interruptions when the collapse happened at roughly 2:00 AM. Over 400 planes faced delays of an average of 27 minutes, while 49 flights, including 17 international flights, were diverted between “11:30 PM and 4:00 A”. Airlines issued advice to passengers regarding travel time and flight status checks due to the airport’s access roads being flooded into Sunday afternoon.
According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), there was no structural damage and the canopy’s reaction during severe weather was a natural component of its design. But footage that were widely circulated on social media revealed water dripping into the Arrival area from the canopy, which raised questions about the condition of the infrastructure.
Governmental and Regulating Measures
Minister Ram Mohan Naidu presided over a high-level conference called by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in reaction to the event. A War Room was set up around-the-clock to process complete refunds or offer impacted customers alternate travel options within seven days. There were helpline lines available for prompt assistance.
Within the next two to five days, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was instructed to perform comprehensive structural strength inspections at every airport. The duty of evaluating the incident at T1 fell to structural engineers from IIT Delhi.
Passenger advisory and flight operations
Until further notice, Terminal 1 flight operations have been halted. Terminals 2 and 3 will now be the operating locations for all flights. Before leaving for the airport, travelers are advised to check the status of their flights by airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet.
Political Responses
Political criticism has been directed at the occurrence. The Congress party cynically referred to the occurrence as “Vikas overflowing,” mocking the claims of development made by the ruling BJP government. In its criticism of Delhi’s infrastructure, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that the flooding and canopy collapse revealed a “complete collapse” of the city’s infrastructure during the BJP’s rule.
Examining and Taking Responsibility
A critical design issue in the canopy structure was discovered by an expert team made up of professors from IIT Delhi and IIT Jammu. Because the horizontal beam was fastened halfway rather than at the top of the flaring columns, the force distribution was changed, and the weld joints were put under stress. Furthermore, the structural integrity was weakened since the welding penetration was “most likely” 40 mm rather than the necessary “full-depth” 60 mm. DIAL refuted these conclusions, claiming that superior steel was utilized and that the welding was completed in a specialized facility.
The incident has prompted government action, including passenger support measures, structural inspections, and a comprehensive investigation to determine accountability and prevent future incidents.
Group Media Publication
Construction, Infrastructure and Mining
General News Platforms – IHTLive.com
Entertainment News Platforms – https://anyflix.in/
What happened at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1?
A section of the canopy at Terminal 1 collapsed due to intense rainfall and wind, causing major disruptions.
Were flights cancelled due to the Delhi canopy collapse?
Yes, over 400 flights were delayed, and 49 flights (including international ones) were diverted.
Is this the first time Delhi Airport faced such an incident?
No. A similar event occurred in June 2024 at the same terminal, where a canopy collapse led to fatalities and injuries.