IGI runway to shut for upgrade

With Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport rated as one of the busiest airports in the world, plans are afoot to upgrade its 11R/29L, known as the third runway, to position itself as one of the top three international airports. The runway will be closed from February 16, for at least four months for infrastructure modernisation.

The infrastructure upgrade includes resurfacing of the runway, construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway, laying of Dense Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete, removal and reinstallation of around 2,000 Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) fixtures, basic strip works across 500,000 sqm, construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET Z1) to enhance efficiency and reduce runway occupancy time, runway End Safety Area (RESA) drain widening and associated civil works, replacement of windsock cabling and electrical systems and markings of new pavement. An additional major component of the project involves the readiness and installation of a new Instrument Landing System (ILS), followed by calibration, validation, and eventual operationalisation in compliance with the AIRAC cycle. According to DIAL, which operates the IGI airport, the rehabilitation work is scheduled to commence from February 16, 2026, following requisite regulatory approvals. It is expected to be recommissioned in early July, subject to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval.

However, some industry veterans have raised concerns about the timing and whether the planning will prove adequate as this comes at a time when the summer rush will be on the peak.  

Passengers may face flight delays and schedule changes, especially as fog conditions usually affect operations till mid-February, while the April-June period marks the peak summer travel season. While the February-June window comes during the tail end of Delhi’s fog season, when low-visibility conditions can already strain operations, it also overlaps with the peak summer travel season. Last year, two separate runway closure attempts exposed critical coordination gaps in India’s aviation ecosystem. At the time, repairs were abandoned before authorities adopted more rigorous stakeholder consultation processes - including the need for the regulator to step in.

During the April 2025 closure of runway 28/10, the airport handled approximately 200 fewer flights daily - dropping from over 1,200 flights to around 1,000. When work resumed in June 2025 with proper planning, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) cancelled 114 flights daily and rescheduled another 86 to non-peak hours.

The runway-commissioned in 2008 and in continuous service for 17 years-will undergo essential strengthening and upgrade works aimed at enhancing safety, operational resilience, and capacity for future growth. For reference, the RWY has undergone regular maintenance since 2008, including minor rehabilitation in 2017. However, increased traffic, operational intensity, and natural ageing make comprehensive rehabilitation essential at this stage.

“DIAL, in coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other stakeholders, convened multiple high-level consultations to assess and mitigate the impact of closure. Following this, it has been decided that the airport’s scheduled movement capacity will be maintained at 1,514 movements per day. Also, airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) have been fully briefed, and operational plans are in place to ensure smooth continuity of services,” it said.

 The rehabilitation of Runway 11R/29L is a crucial infrastructure project to ensure long-term operational safety, efficiency, and compliance with global aviation standards. We are committed to delivering the project on time, with minimal disruption to airport operations, and with full coordination with AAI, DGCA, airlines, and all stakeholders. The project reflects DIAL’s commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and preparing IGI Airport to handle future aviation growth responsibly,” CEO-DIAL Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said.An additional major component of the project involves the readiness and installation of a new Instrument Landing System (ILS), followed by calibration, validation, and eventual operationalisation in compliance with the AIRAC cycle.

The AGL refers to the comprehensive system of lights installed on an airport runway to provide pilots with crucial visual guidance for safe takeoff, landing, and ground movement, especially in low visibility, defining the runway’s edges, centerline, threshold, and touchdown zone with specific colours and intensities as per international standards, ensuring safe operations day and night. To improve airside efficiency, a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (Z1) will be constructed, connecting Runway 11R/29L to the existing Zulu taxiway. This new RET will support faster aircraft exits and optimise runway occupancy time (ROT), particularly during peak operational hours.