Severe weather across parts of Indonesia, India, and the United Arab Emirates has disrupted air travel for thousands of passengers, with Batik Air, IndiGo, and Air India Express confirming widespread cancellations and delays on key regional routes. According to operational updates from the three carriers and airport authorities, at least 21 flights were cancelled and around 172 services were delayed over the past 24 to 36 hours, primarily due to storms, heavy rain, low visibility, and knock-on congestion in already busy airspace.
Storm Systems And Seasonal Weather Patterns Converge
Meteorological agencies in Southeast Asia and South Asia reported a combination of intense convective storms over parts of Indonesia, a lingering western disturbance over northern India, and unstable weather over the Arabian Gulf, including strong crosswinds and sand-laden gusts around some UAE airports. The result has been a patchwork of weather alerts affecting several hubs that sit at the heart of regional and long-haul networks.
In Indonesia, storm cells and heavy rainfall around Jakarta and other key gateways prompted air traffic control to apply additional spacing between aircraft, leading to cascading delays. Local forecasters warned of severe thunderstorms and reduced visibility around major population centers, conditions that can quickly push airport operations beyond normal capacity.
Across India, dense fog in the north and heavy pre-monsoon style showers and thunderstorms in other regions again underscored how sensitive major hubs such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai remain to adverse weather. Operators had already been contending with periodic winter fog episodes in Delhi that have triggered repeated waves of cancellations and delays in recent months, and the latest system again forced airlines to trim schedules and divert aircraft.
In the UAE, where airports typically remain operational even in challenging conditions, crosswinds, dust, and weather-related airspace constraints prompted additional holding patterns and diversions on routes linking the Gulf to Indian and Indonesian cities. This translated into extended ground times across the network, as aircraft and crew ended up out of position for subsequent rotations.
Which Airlines And Routes Have Been Hit Hardest
Batik Air, which links numerous Indonesian cities and operates regional services into other Asian markets, reported cancellations and rolling delays on flights touching busy domestic corridors and selected international routes. Storm activity around Jakarta in particular led to multiple turnarounds and late arrivals, with some services scrubbed altogether once crew duty-time limits were reached.
In India, IndiGo and Air India Express bore the brunt of the disruption. IndiGo, already under close public scrutiny after a separate scheduling crisis and a series of earlier weather-related disruptions, saw fresh delays on flights connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and several tier-two cities. Some departures from the airline’s major hubs were held on the ground for hours as air traffic controllers sequenced arrivals and departures in low-visibility and storm-affected conditions.
Air India Express, which focuses heavily on short- and medium-haul routes between India and the Gulf as well as select Southeast Asian destinations, reported cancellations on flights linking Indian cities to the UAE. Operations between India and Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other regional airports were particularly vulnerable, as the same weather systems affected both ends of the route or the en route airspace, compounding delays.
Travel agents in the Gulf and in major Indian cities said that departures between the UAE and southern India were especially disrupted, echoing the pattern seen in earlier episodes of bad weather and airspace constraints. Services into Kerala and coastal Karnataka, as well as trunk routes to major metropolitan hubs, accounted for a significant share of late-running and cancelled flights on IndiGo and Air India Express schedules.
Affected Airports In Indonesia, India, And The UAE
In Indonesia, delays spread outward from Jakarta’s main international gateway, where thunderstorms and reduced visibility forced flight crews to wait out the worst of the conditions. Domestic sectors to and from other key airports experienced knock-on effects, as aircraft scheduled to operate later services arrived well behind schedule. Regional passengers reported extended waits in terminals as updated departure times slipped further into the night.
In India, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi once again emerged as one of the worst affected hubs, with fog and poor visibility constraining arrivals and departures. Airlines operating from Delhi have repeatedly advised passengers in recent weeks to monitor flight status closely, as even minor deteriorations in visibility can force delays and cancellations at very short notice. Other major airports, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, also saw weather-linked disruption as storms and heavy rain passed through.
Smaller Indian airports served by IndiGo and Air India Express were not spared. Cancellations and rolling delays at regional gateways created pressure on the country’s already crowded domestic network, as aircraft and crew were left out of position, sometimes hundreds of kilometres from where they were supposed to start their next sequence of flights.
Across the Arabian Gulf, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reported a series of weather-affected days in recent months, ranging from heavy rain to sandstorms, each placing additional strain on air traffic flows. While the latest disruption did not shut down operations entirely, it did create pockets of congestion at peak times. Some flights from the UAE to India and Indonesia were diverted or left waiting for extended periods on the ground, contributing to the overall tally of delayed services.
How Many Flights Were Affected And What It Means For Passengers
Operational data from the airlines and airport statements indicate that at least 21 flights operated by Batik Air, IndiGo, and Air India Express were cancelled outright over the current disruption cycle, while around 172 additional flights across their combined networks suffered significant delays. Aviation analysts caution that these figures represent only the most direct impact. In reality, the effect on passengers can be much wider, as a single late inbound flight can disrupt multiple onward departures.
For travellers, the immediate consequences have included hours-long waits in transit areas, missed connections, and unexpected overnight stays in gateway cities. At several major airports, images and local media reports described long queues at airline service counters and packed departure halls, as travellers sought rebooking options and information on when flights might finally operate.
The disruption has also rippled across cargo operations, especially in India. IndiGo’s prominent role in domestic freight means that each wave of cancellations or heavy delay can slow the movement of time-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and express parcels. Logistics firms say that repeated bouts of weather-related disruption, when layered onto existing operational stresses, can raise costs and erode schedule reliability for shippers.
Passenger frustration, however, remains the most visible consequence. Social media posts and local television coverage have highlighted grievances ranging from inadequate information at airports to difficulties accessing call centres and digital support channels during peak disruption. Industry observers note that airlines in the affected regions have been under mounting pressure from regulators to improve the way they communicate and care for customers during irregular operations.
What Batik Air, IndiGo, And Air India Express Are Telling Customers
All three carriers have publicly reiterated that safety takes priority over punctuality, stressing that decisions to delay or cancel flights in bad weather are taken in coordination with air traffic control and airport authorities. Statements from IndiGo and Air India Express have pointed to a combination of severe weather and airspace constraints, explaining that flights can be held back or rerouted even when conditions appear manageable on the ground.
IndiGo has urged passengers to check their flight status regularly through digital channels before leaving for the airport and to allow extra time both for airport formalities and for potential last-minute gate changes or revised departure times. In recent advisories, the airline has explained that prolonged periods of low visibility, particularly in the early morning and late evening at key hubs, can force it to thin out schedules in order to keep operations safe and compliant throughout the day.
Air India Express has similarly called on customers to stay in close touch via its website, app, and contact centres, with staff on the ground instructed to prioritise rebooking and essential assistance for travellers stranded at intermediate points. The airline has indicated that, where possible, passengers on cancelled flights will be offered free date changes or full refunds, in line with regulatory requirements and its own disruption policies.
Batik Air has highlighted the complexity of operating within Indonesia’s often volatile weather environment, where localised storms can flare up quickly and move across heavily trafficked flight paths. The carrier says it is working with airport operators and air navigation services to minimise disruption but has cautioned that short-notice changes will remain possible while unstable weather persists.
Your Rights And Practical Steps If Your Flight Is Disrupted
Passenger rights frameworks differ by country, but most civil aviation regulators require airlines to provide clear information, offer rebooking or refunds in the event of cancellations, and provide basic support such as meals and, in some cases, accommodation during long delays. Industry lawyers point out, however, that compensation rules for weather-related disruption are often less generous than those for cancellations caused by technical or staffing problems, because adverse weather is typically considered beyond the airline’s control.
Travellers currently booked on Batik Air, IndiGo, or Air India Express flights in or out of Indonesia, India, or the UAE are being advised by travel agents to monitor their booking closely in the days ahead, especially on routes that have already seen previous weather disruptions in recent weeks. That includes early-morning and late-night services, which are particularly vulnerable when visibility deteriorates, as well as routes passing through congested or weather-prone airspace.
Passengers with time-sensitive plans are also being encouraged to consider flexible tickets, where available, and to build more generous connection windows into itineraries that involve multiple segments. For those already at the airport when disruption strikes, aviation consumer advocates recommend immediately approaching airline staff or contacting the carrier’s official digital support channels to secure a confirmed rebooking or written acknowledgment of the delay that can be used for travel insurance claims later.
Insurance specialists note that many comprehensive travel policies provide some coverage for delays and cancellations caused by bad weather, but warn that documentation and proof of disruption are critical. Keeping boarding passes, booking confirmations, and any written notices from the airline can greatly improve the chances of a successful claim for additional accommodation, meals, or alternative transport costs.
How Long The Disruption Could Last And What To Watch Next
Meteorological forecasts for the region suggest that unstable conditions over parts of Indonesia, northern and central India, and the Gulf could persist in the short term, with further bursts of heavy rain, thunderstorms, fog, and dust possible. Aviation analysts say that while airlines and airports have become increasingly adept at managing such events, there is only so much flexibility in tightly wound schedules, especially during peak travel periods.
For IndiGo and Air India Express in particular, the latest weather disruption collides with a broader context of operational strain. Indian airlines have been grappling with a combination of rapid demand growth, regulatory changes affecting crew duty hours, aircraft maintenance requirements, and previous episodes of widespread cancellations and delays. Each new wave of bad weather adds another layer of complexity, as carriers juggle aircraft positioning, crew rostering, and passenger commitments.
In Indonesia and the UAE, the resilience of hub airports will again be tested if storms intensify or if visibility drops sharply during peak arrival and departure banks. Aviation authorities in both countries have emphasised that they are coordinating closely with airlines to adjust takeoff and landing rates as conditions evolve, a process that may require further short-notice cancellations or extended en route holding.
For travellers, the most realistic expectation in the coming days is one of continued volatility on affected routes, punctuated by periods of relative calm when weather windows allow airlines to clear backlogs. Industry observers say that while the number of outright cancellations may ease once the most severe systems move through, timetable reliability on routes linking Indonesia, India, and the UAE is likely to remain fragile until weather patterns stabilise and aircraft and crew are fully back in position.