Runway Closure at Delhi IGI Airport to Impact Over 200 Flights Daily
Runway Closure at Delhi IGI Airport to Impact Over 200 Flights Daily
A major disruption in flight operations is expected as Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport shuts down one of its key runways, 28/10, for a three-month-long upgrade starting June 16. The closure, scheduled to continue until September 15, will impact more than 200 flights daily, as the runway undergoes maintenance to become CAT-IIIB compliant for better handling during peak fog conditions.
According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the runway’s closure will lead to 114 daily flight cancellations and 86 reschedulings, affecting nearly 7.8% of the airport’s typical 1,450 daily flight movements. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India will be among the most impacted, with 33 and 25 daily cancellations, respectively.
The upgrade will make Runway 28/10 equipped for Category III-B (CAT-IIIB) landings, allowing aircraft to operate in low-visibility conditions like fog or heavy rain, particularly critical during the winter months.
New Flight Plan to Prevent Chaos
The flight management plan has been developed after consultations with airlines and key stakeholders to avoid a repeat of April’s chaos, when an earlier attempt at upgradation had to be halted after four weeks due to poor coordination and worsening weather.
DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar stated, “We are better prepared this time. The new plan has been structured to ensure minimal passenger inconvenience through proactive cancellations and shifting more flights to non-peak hours.”
However, concerns remain as the upgradation period coincides with the monsoon season, which could bring unpredictable wind patterns. In the event of easterly winds, arrivals per hour may drop from 42 to 32, putting additional stress on the remaining three operational runways—29R/11L (departures), 29L/11R (arrivals), and 27/9 (hybrid).
Limited Impact on Major Airports
DIAL noted that while overall flight movements will see a temporary reduction, the impact on flights from major cities will be minimal. Key changes include:
- Mumbai: 56 to 54 arrivals
- Kolkata: 22 to 21 arrivals
- Bengaluru: 38 to 36 arrivals
- Chennai: 20 to 19 arrivals
- Ahmedabad: 21 to 19 arrivals
- Patna: 13 to 12 arrivals
The revised slot allocation plan has already been approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
