Delhi Airport Runway Closure: The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport is going to shut down its third runway for five months to carry out mandatory
repair work smoothly. The closure will affect the number of flights operating from the Delhi Airport. However, the authorities have assured a minimum disruption through careful planning and implementation. The runway, 11R/29L, will close for operations from 16 February, the airport operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has confirmed. The runway is expected to reopen in early July, once it receives approval from the aviation regulator, DGCA, The Times of India reported. Though the closure will be implemented during the busy summer travel season, DIAL says it will not cause major disruption to flights. At present, the airport handles about 1,520 flights a day. During the runway closure, the airport will continue to manage 1,514 aircraft movements daily, almost the same number. Also Read: Delhiites, in Crisis? Use This Single Helpline Number for All Emergency Services IGI Airport has four runways in total: 27/9, 28/10, 29R/11L and 11R/29L. When runway 28/10 was shut for repairs in 2025, around 200 flights a day were affected. This time, DIAL believes careful planning will avoid such problems. DIAL said it held several high-level meetings with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Air Traffic Control (ATC), airlines and other stakeholders. After these discussions, all parties agreed on operational plans to keep flights running smoothly. Airlines and ATC have already been fully briefed. DIAL’s CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, said the airport is focused on completing the work on time with minimum disruption. He explained that the project is essential to ensure long-term safety, efficiency and compliance with international aviation standards. The third runway has been in use since 2008 and has operated continuously for 17 years. Although it received regular maintenance and a minor upgrade in 2017, DIAL says growing traffic, heavy usage and natural ageing now make a full rehabilitation necessary.
The upgrade work includes:
* Resurfacing the runway
* Building a new Rapid Exit Taxiway
* Installing a new Instrument Landing System (ILS)
Around 2,000 airfield ground lighting fixtures will also be removed and reinstalled. These lights help pilots see runway edges, centre lines, thresholds and touchdown zones, especially at night or in poor visibility.
