Abu Dhabi / New Delhi: In response to adverse weather conditions in the Indian capital, Etihad Airways’ flight EY216, scheduled from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, April 11, was diverted to Jaipur Airport. The decision followed reports of strong dust storms and gusty winds across Delhi during the evening hours.
The airline confirmed the diversion in an official statement and noted that the return flight, EY217 from Delhi to Abu Dhabi, would also face delays.
“The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We apologise for disrupting your travel plans,” the airline said in a statement.
According to reports from Indian media, more than 15 inbound flights to Delhi were rerouted on Friday evening as a precautionary measure amid deteriorating weather. The city experienced low visibility and unstable wind patterns, significantly impacting air traffic operations.
March 2025 Performance Highlights
Despite the temporary disruption, Etihad Airways released strong operational figures for March 2025 on Friday. The carrier welcomed 1.6 million passengers during the month, marking a 14 per cent increase compared to March 2024.
The passenger load factor stood at an impressive 87 per cent for the first quarter of the year, up slightly from 86 per cent in the same period last year. This growth was supported by an increase in the airline’s operating fleet size by 10 per cent, highlighting Etihad’s expanding global footprint.
Strategic Growth and Route Expansion
Commenting on the airline’s forward momentum, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said:
“Our guest numbers saw further strong growth, and across the 12 months to the end of March 2025, we have welcomed almost 20 million passengers.”
He further added, “In the past month alone, we have announced two new routes and increased flight frequencies, bringing the total number of new destinations scheduled for 2025 to 16.”
Etihad’s commitment to fleet modernization, route expansion, and passenger experience has positioned it as a key player in connecting the UAE with South Asia and beyond.
As Delhi recovers from Friday’s dust storms, authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely to avoid further disruptions.
