Ahmedabad: Heavy rain caused major waterlogging on approach roads and in parts of the city’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Friday, disrupting passenger movement and delaying 36 flights. Four flights were cancelled.Airport authorities said flight operations continued despite the adverse weather, but advised passengers to leave early, allow extra travel time and check the latest flight status with their airlines before travelling.“Due to unprecedented heavy rain, waterlogging has been reported in several areas around Ahmedabad airport, which may impact road connectivity to and from the airport,” the airport said in an advisory.Flight schedules were affected throughout the day. The delayed flights included 23 departures — 22 domestic and one international service to Colombo — and 13 arrivals, comprising 10 domestic and three international flights from Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo.Among outbound flights, Delhi was the worst-affected sector with four delays, followed by Bengaluru and Mumbai with two each. Two Mumbai-bound departures were cancelled, while incoming flights from Mumbai and Jalgaon were also cancelled.IndiGo issued a travel advisory, saying adverse weather had affected flight operations in Ahmedabad, resulting in extended wait times both on the ground and onboard aircraft. The airline urged passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, saying adverse weather had affected operations at Ahmedabad airport and led to longer wait times on the ground and onboard aircraft. The airline urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Several passengers posted images and videos on social media showing waterlogging inside and around the airport.One passenger alleged that travellers on a flight had to wait nearly 50 minutes for a parking bay after landing and were later made to deboard through knee-deep water instead of using an aerobridge.“Flight 2237 waiting for parking since 50 mins after landing at Ahmedabad airport. It’s heavy raining so aero bridge option should be first choice but this airline planned ramp deboarding while there is knee-deep water,” said Rahul Kumar, an X user.Another user said airport staff used luggage trolleys to help passengers move through flooded areas inside the terminal. Siddhesh Jamsandekar wrote: “Passengers couldn’t even walk. Airport staff had to push people on luggage trolleys through the water. Staff deserve appreciation. Management owes passengers an explanation.” Airport staff continued assisting passengers as rain persisted through the morning on Friday.
