The upgrade will include modernising the Instrument Landing System, aiming for CAT III compliance to improve operations during low-visibility conditions, especially to address issues related to the winter fog season.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest in the country, handling about 1,450 flight movements each day. It has four runways — 09/27, 11R/29L, 11L/29R, and 10/28 — along with two terminals, T1 and T3, while Terminal 2 is temporarily closed for maintenance.
Live Event: Delhi Airport Runway 10/28 Upgrade – Enhancing Efficiency https://t.co/6QdMLfmtYi#DELRunwayUpgrade#DelhiAirport #RunwayUpgrade
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 6, 2025
Delhi Airport CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar confirmed the runway closure during a press briefing on Friday. “RW 10/28 will not be operational, starting June 15, for three months,” he stated, adding, “…we aim to upgrade this runway to resolve issues we’ve experienced, particularly during the fog season. There are two upgrades planned for RW 10/28.”
Jaipuriar assured that passengers are being informed well ahead of time, anticipating only a slight reduction in daily flights. “The (number of) flights that will be cancelled is about 114. Considering we have 1,450 operations (flight movements) daily, about 114 operations will be affected, equating to 7.5 percent,” he explained.
In total, 200 flights will be impacted over the three-month period: 114 will face outright cancellations and 86 will be rescheduled to non-peak times. While the runway is scheduled to reopen on September 15, the complete upgrade of the ILS is projected to be finished by November 27, right before the winter fog season, the airport’s CEO highlighted.
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He stressed that the impact on passengers will be minimal owing to advance planning. “Efforts have been made to ensure a balanced approach to maintain operational stability and minimise disruptions during the closure of RW 28/10,” he stated.
In response to previous coordination issues between airlines and airport authorities during congestion, DIAL emphasized that this round of slot adjustments was made in close consultation with all involved parties. Airline representatives were also present at Friday’s briefing.
The original plan for upgrading RW 10/28 was initiated in April, with the runway closed for ILS work on April 8. However, unfavourable impacts on flight operations due to easterly winds and congestion led the Ministry of Civil Aviation to request the resumption of runway operations and to defer the planned upgrade. The revised timeline, now aimed for mid-June to mid-September, has been agreed upon by the involved airlines, DIAL confirmed.
