Delhi airport roof collapse: 'Ensure no abnormal surge in airfares', Govt tells airlines

After flight operations were hit due to the collapse of a roof at Terminal 1 of Delhi airport, the government issued an advisory to airlines, asking them to ensure that airfares do not spike at an abnormal rate.

"In view of the unfortunate incident at Terminal T1D IGIA, Delhi, all airlines are advised to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Delhi and take necessary action regarding the same," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Friday evening.

The roof collapse incident was reported at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport – one of the busiest in the world – at around 5 am on Friday. At least one person died, and six others sustained injuries.

Subsequently, all departures were suspended from Terminal 1, which handles domestic services of IndiGo and SpiceJet.

The shutdown resulted in more than 100 flight cancellations, leading to the disruption of travel plans of passengers and the authorities decided to shift flights from the terminal to T2 and T3.

The flight operations from T1 will remain suspended till further notice.

24x7 war room

At a review meeting convened by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, it was also decided that a 24x7 war room will be set up for efficient management of passengers at T2 and T3.

"The war room will ensure the full refund of cancelled flights or provide alternative travel route tickets," the ministry said in a statement.

Further, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been directed to issue a circular to all minor and major airports to conduct a thorough inspection of structural strength.

These inspections must be completed within the next 2-5 days and the reports are to be submitted to the ministry.

"Based on the findings, the need for increased safety measures and the development of long-term policies to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents will be formulated at priority," the statement said.

DGCA to launch probe

The roof collapse incident will be probed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as well as by a technical committee set up by DIAL (Delhi International Airport Ltd).

A compensation of Rs 20 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh each for the injured people.

"While the cause for the collapse is being assessed, the primary cause seems to be the continued heavy rainfall over the past few hours. As per the Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi Safdarjung recorded a massive 228.1 mm of rain in the last 24 hours (mainly in the early morning hours of today). This is the highest 24-hour rain in Delhi in June after 1936, the average rainfall in the area in the last 30 years is 75.2 mm," DIAL said in a statement.

L&T issues clarification

Amid reports that L&T had constructed the structure at T1 that collapsed on Friday, the firm said the structure in question was built by another company in 2009.

"We want to clarify that L&T did not construct the collapsed structure, nor are we responsible for its maintenance. The structure in question was built by another company in 2009.

"At the request of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), L&T undertook an expansion project for T1 in 2019. The collapse occurred approximately 110 meters from the extended portion of T1, which was constructed by L&T and commissioned in March 2024. We confirm that the collapse has had no impact on this extended portion."