The third runway at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, known as Runway 11R/29L, will be closed from February 16 for major upgrade work. The runway is expected to reopen in early July after approval from the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The announcement was made by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates the airport.
The closure of the runway will coincide with the peak summer rush. However, DIAL has said that flight operations will not be significantly affected. On average, around 1,520 flights operate daily at Delhi airport. After discussions with all stakeholders, DIAL said the airport will be able to handle 1,514 aircraft movements per day even during the runway closure.
Airport operations to continue smoothly
Delhi airport currently has four runways, 27/9, 28/10, 29R/11L, and 11R/29L. During the shutdown of the third runway, the remaining three runways will handle flight operations. Airport officials said careful planning has been done to avoid disruption.
Earlier, when Runway 28/10 was closed in 2025, around 200 flights were affected daily. Learning from that experience, DIAL has coordinated closely with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), airlines, and Air Traffic Control (ATC). Airlines and ATC have been fully informed, and operational plans are ready to manage traffic smoothly during the closure period.
Why the upgrade is needed
Runway 11R/29L was commissioned in 2008 and has been in continuous use for 17 years. While regular maintenance was carried out over the years, including minor repairs in 2017, DIAL said the runway now needs comprehensive rehabilitation due to increased air traffic, heavy usage, and natural ageing.
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, said the project is important for long-term safety and efficiency. He added that the upgrade will help the airport meet global aviation standards and support future growth. DIAL has assured that the work will be completed on time with minimum inconvenience to passengers.
Key improvements planned
The upgrade includes resurfacing the entire runway and strengthening it for long-term use. A new Instrument Landing System (ILS) will also be installed to help aircraft land safely, especially during fog and low visibility conditions.
Around 2,000 airfield ground lights will be removed and reinstalled. These lights help pilots see runway edges, centre lines, and touchdown zones clearly, ensuring safe take-offs and landings day and night.
In addition, a new Rapid Exit Taxiway, named Z1, will be built to connect the runway to the existing Zulu taxiway. This will allow aircraft to leave the runway faster, reducing waiting time and improving efficiency during peak hours.
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