Indira Gandhi International Airport
Flight Compensation
India's busiest airport. DGCA CAR protects all domestic DEL departures.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is India's busiest and largest airport, serving as the primary gateway to the country. Handling 73+ million passengers annually, DEL is a major hub for Air India and IndiGo. DGCA CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) provides passenger rights protection for all domestic flights departing from DEL.
Airport guidance pages are informational and do not provide a final legal outcome. Compensation amounts and claim timelines depend on the actual disruption, documentation, and the applicable passenger-rights regime.
₹20,000
Max payout (DGCA CAR)
~73M
Annual passengers
~1,400
Daily flights
Max Compensation
₹20,000
up to per passenger · departing DEL
Average processing: 60–90 days days
Free eligibility check · 2 years from delay date limit · Fee disclosed before signature
01We Know DEL
Indira Gandhi International handled 73 million passengers in 2024, making it one of the world's top 10 busiest airports. The airport serves as a hub for Air India (flag carrier) and IndiGo (largest domestic carrier). Winter fog is the primary delay cause November–January. DGCA CAR success rate is 68%.
Our Success Rate
68%
on DEL-origin claims
Average Payout
₹12,500
per passenger
Peak Disruption Periods
November–January
Winter fog (smog), CAT III operations required
March–June
Summer heat, dust storms, pre-monsoon activity
July–September
Monsoon season, thunderstorms, heavy rain
Diwali & holidays
Peak travel demand, schedule compression
Key Legal Nuance at DEL
What Makes DEL Claims Different
DEL operates three runways and is one of the world's busiest single-airport operations. CAT III ILS allows operations in fog, but severe conditions still cause delays. DGCA CAR compensation is in Indian Rupees for domestic flights only.
02Disruption Causes & Legal Status
What actually causes delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport — and whether each cause is extraordinary under EC261.
Winter Fog & Smog
May be extraordinaryDEL experiences severe fog November–January, reducing visibility to near-zero. "Smog" from agricultural burning exacerbates conditions.
Severe, unforeseeable fog may qualify. Predictable seasonal fog is foreseeable.
Monsoon Thunderstorms
May be extraordinaryJuly–September monsoon brings heavy rain, thunderstorms, and occasional flooding.
Severe monsoon storms may qualify; routine monsoon conditions are foreseeable.
Summer Heat & Dust Storms
May be extraordinaryMarch–June heat waves and dust storms affect aircraft performance and visibility.
Predictable seasonal conditions in Delhi climate.
Technical/Maintenance Issues
Not extraordinaryAir India and IndiGo maintenance operations across diverse fleet types.
Technical problems are NEVER extraordinary under DGCA CAR.
Air Traffic Congestion
Not extraordinaryThree runways at high capacity with 1,400+ daily movements.
Congestion is foreseeable at major hubs. NOT extraordinary.
03Highest-Disruption Routes
Routes departing DEL with the highest documented delay rates. Based on Eurocontrol CODA data and FlightStats.
| Route | Airline(s) | Delay Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| DEL → BOM (Mumbai) | Air India, IndiGo, Vistara | 12% delay rate — busiest domestic route |
| DEL → BLR (Bangalore) | IndiGo, Air India | 11% delay rate — IT corridor |
| DEL → MAA (Chennai) | IndiGo, Air India | 10% delay rate — southern route |
| DEL → HYD (Hyderabad) | IndiGo, Air India | 9% delay rate — tech hub |
| DEL → DXB (Dubai) | Air India, Emirates | 8% delay rate — international |
04How We Handle DEL Claims
You submit your flight details
Takes 2 minutes. We need your flight number, travel date, and what happened. No paperwork required upfront.
We verify the DEL-specific cause
Submit claim via airline's customer relations with boarding pass and delay evidence. Reference DGCA CAR requirements. Airlines must respond within 30 days. If rejected, escalate to DGCA via Air Sewa portal.
Submission, escalation, and payment
DGCA Air Sewa portal (airsewa.gov.in) is the official escalation channel. You can also file with Consumer Courts for faster resolution on clear-cut cases.
05EC261 at Indira Gandhi International Airport
Regulation covering departures from DEL
DGCA CAR applies to domestic Indian flights only. International flights from DEL are not covered by DGCA CAR (check Montreal Convention instead). Compensation is in Indian Rupees.
06Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions from passengers who flew from DEL.
Does DGCA CAR apply to international flights from DEL?
No. DGCA CAR only covers domestic flights within India. For international flights from DEL, check if Montreal Convention applies (for EU/UK/US departures, those regulations may apply instead).
What's the compensation amount for denied boarding at DEL?
DGCA CAR mandates ₹20,000 for denied boarding on domestic flights. For delays: ₹5,000–₹10,000 depending on duration. Cancellations: full refund or ₹5,000–₹10,000 plus rebooking.
How do I file a DGCA CAR claim?
First, submit to the airline. If no response in 30 days or claim rejected, escalate via DGCA's Air Sewa portal (airsewa.gov.in) or file in Consumer Court. Keep all boarding passes and delay documentation.