New Delhi: Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is gearing up to restore its full runway capacity next week. From 16 September 2025, all four runways,
including the crucial RW 10/28, will be operational once again after months of upgrades and careful scheduling.
Why Runway 10/28 Was Shut
Runway 10/28 had been closed from 15 June to 15 September 2025 for the replacement of its Instrument Landing System (ILS), which had reached the end of its service life. The works also aimed to make the runway CAT III B compliant, improving its ability to handle landings during low-visibility conditions such as dense fog.
Initially, the upgradation was planned for April–May 2025, but unexpected changes in wind patterns and operational constraints forced the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to delay the work. Airlines raised concerns over capacity crunch, leading to a carefully negotiated postponement.
The Challenges of Operating Without 10/28
IGI Airport is India’s busiest, handling thousands of flights daily. Losing one runway meant a direct hit on arrival capacity, especially during bad weather. In easterly wind conditions, recovery time after fog was particularly high, taking up to six hours per hour of fog, compared with about three hours in westerly conditions.
This meant disruptions could snowball quickly, making runway availability critical for maintaining on-time performance.
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How Airlines and DIAL Managed the Crunch
To cope with the reduced capacity, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) worked closely with airlines, ATC and the Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) teams to adjust flight schedules.
- On 25 April 2025, DIAL shared a slot adjustment plan with airlines.
- Between 29 April and 9 May, airlines submitted revised schedules.
- By 22 May, MoCA approved the final plan, which was then filed with the DGCA.
This collaborative effort ensured that while some schedules were tightened, passenger disruption was minimised.
DIAL conducted a safety assessment of Runway 10/28 on 8 September 2025, and the findings will now be submitted to the DGCA for final approval. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) remains in place until 15 September, after which the runway will be reopened for operations.
Once operational, this will mark the full restoration of runway capacity at IGI Airport, easing congestion and giving airlines more breathing space in scheduling.
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What It Means for Travellers
For passengers, the reopening of all four runways translates to:
- Fewer delays, especially during foggy winter months.
- Improved on-time performance of flights.
- Reduced congestion at peak travel hours.
With the upgrade, Runway 10/28 is now better equipped to handle low-visibility operations, promising smoother travel experiences for flyers in the months ahead.
