On Saturday, June 22, 2025, major Indian airports including Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai), and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata) experienced severe operational disruptions. Over 200 flights were cancelled or delayed due to adverse weather conditions, specifically torrential rain, low visibility, and strong crosswinds. The total count reached 227 disrupted flights across the three hubs, comprising 51 cancellations and 176 delays, impacting both domestic and international air travel.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport bore the brunt of the weather chaos, reporting 28 cancellations and 81 delays. Air India, based in Delhi, was significantly affected with 27 cancellations and 35 delays, highlighting the widespread impact on its schedules. IndiGo, the country's largest budget airline, reported 20 delays due to runway congestion. Other airlines like Etihad Airways, Flynas, SpiceJet, Ariana Afghan, Thai Airways, Korean Air, and Nepal Airlines also faced considerable setbacks, leading to missed connecting flights and reassignments.

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also grappled with storm disruptions, recording 15 cancellations and 75 delays. Air India again showed major disruption with 11 cancellations and 27 delays. Newer airline Akasa Air experienced three cancellations and three delays. Other carriers like Kenya Airways, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, VietJet Air, and Air France were affected. The airport's parallel runway system was pushed to its limits, causing aircraft to circle or divert to alternate airports such as Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, while having fewer total disruptions, showed a disproportionately higher cancellation rate with eight cancellations and 20 delays. Air India was once more the most affected, with seven cancellations and five delays. SpiceJet, IndiaOne Air, and Qatar Airways also faced issues due to sudden rain bursts and lightning advisories that restricted takeoffs for several hours. Etihad Airways also saw significant delays on its Kolkata flights.

The widespread disruptions led to frustrating experiences for passengers. Travelers on domestic routes and international connections (especially to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa) faced long waits, sudden cancellations, and limited rebooking options. Airlines, including Ethiopian Airlines, Thai Airways, and Flynas, struggled to maintain punctuality. Complaints surged online regarding poor communication, lack of proactive updates, and insufficient assistance at terminals, despite airlines attempting to implement flexible policies.

In response, airlines have initiated recovery plans, deploying contingency crews, additional ground staff, and alternative aircraft to manage the backlog. Emergency protocols have been activated by major carriers like Air India and IndiGo, focusing on fleet repositioning and priority rescheduling for international travelers. Air traffic controllers are working under immense pressure to coordinate reduced runway slots. However, with forecasts indicating more scattered storms, particularly in northern India, the aviation sector anticipates continued challenges. Authorities advise passengers to diligently check flight statuses, arrive early, and prepare for potential further delays, underscoring the ongoing risk posed by the escalating monsoon season.