The operator of Delhi International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, has paused works to upgrade one of its runways after passengers criticised lengthy flight delays, throwing the spotlight on increasing air traffic congestion in major cities in India. Data from Flightradar24 showed about 400 arrivals and 500 departures were delayed on Sunday - about 60 percent and 76 percent of total flights, respectively - which Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said was in part due to adverse wind patterns. India's civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday chaired a meeting attended by government, airport and airline officials to address challenges being faced by Delhi International Airport, according to a government statement. Delhi airport handled about 78 million passengers in 2024, making it the ninth busiest airport in the world, according to Airports Council International, as air travel booms in India post the pandemic. To handle the surge in air travel, government authorities have planned for second airports that would serve congested cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.
