Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is likely to close one of its main runways (11R/29L) from mid-February for a period of at least four months for major infrastructural upgrades.
According
to news reports citing officials, runway 11R/29L will be temporarily shut for major upgradation work from mid-February to June-end.
During this period, the existing Instrument Landing System (ILS) would be replaced, a new rapid exit taxiway would be constructed, and resurfacing of the runway along with improvements to the drainage system would be carried out. The authorities said the work is essential to enhance the airport’s capacity and safety.
What It Means For Flyers?
This closure is expected to put pressure on operations at India’s busiest airport. 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.
Delhi airport has four runways, so while this one’s out of action, they’ll juggle operations to keep things running.
A similar runway closure last year had led to delays of thousands of flights, forcing many passengers to wait for hours at the airport. At that 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.
This time, the Civil Aviation Ministry and airport operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) have said that better planning has been put in place to minimise disruption.
