The upgrade includes modernizing the Instrument Landing System, making the runway CAT III compliant, thus improving operations during low-visibility conditions, especially during the winter fog season.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is the busiest in the country, currently managing around 1,450 flight movements daily. It has four runways—09/27, 11R/29L, 11L/29R, and 10/28—and two terminals, T1 and T3, while Terminal 2 is temporarily closed for maintenance.
Live Event: Delhi Airport Runway 10/28 Upgrade – Enhancing Efficiencyhttps://t.co/6QdMLfmtYi#DELRunwayUpgrade#DelhiAirport #RunwayUpgrade
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 6, 2025
During a press conference on Friday, Delhi Airport CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar confirmed the runway closure, stating, “RW 10/28 will not be operational from June 15 for three months,” adding, “…we aim to upgrade this runway to alleviate any issues, particularly during the fog season. There are two upgrades that we will implement for RW 10/28.”
Jaipuriar reassured that passengers are being informed well in advance, with only a slight reduction in daily operations anticipated. “The number of cancellations will be about 114. Considering we manage 1,450 operations in a day, those cancellations represent around 7.5%,” he explained.
Overall, 200 flights will be affected during this three-month window: 114 will be cancelled outright and 86 rescheduled to non-peak hours. Although the runway is set to reopen on September 15, the complete upgrade of the ILS is expected to wrap up by November 27, right before the winter fog season, as noted by the airport’s CEO.
Also read | Delhi airport ranks 10th among top aviation hubs in Asia Pacific and Middle East: ACI report
He stressed that the passenger impact will be minimal due to meticulous advance planning. “Plans have been developed to ensure operational stability and reduce disruptions during the closure of RW 28/10,” he elaborated.
In light of past coordination issues between airlines and airport authorities during congestion, DIAL emphasized that this round of slot adjustments has been made with input from all stakeholders. Airline representatives attended the Friday briefing as well.
The initial upgrade plan for RW 10/28 began in April, with the runway being closed for ILS work on April 8. However, interruptions to flight operations caused by easterly winds and congestion led the Ministry of Civil Aviation to resume runway operations and delay the upgrade. The revised timeline, now from mid-June to mid-September, has received agreement from the relevant airlines, DIAL confirmed.
