DIAL blames airlines for IGI airport chaos, says were warned 4 months ago

The civil aviation minister called an urgent meeting on April 20 with the executives of operator DIAL, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and domestic airlines to discuss issues leading to the flight disruptions. The minister directed DIAL to reopen IGI airport's main runway 10/28 by the first week of May amid concerns over flight delays due to a runway closure for up gradation.

The operator of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport operator has blamed poor planning by domestic airlines for the chaos at one of the world’s busiest airports, saying carriers were alerted four months in advance about a runway upgrade and the possibility of wind patterns hitting operations.

At an urgent meeting called by civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on April 21, senior Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) executives said airlines made no or minimal changes to flight schedules, which disrupted around 68 percent of all flights leaving or arriving in Delhi on April 20, officials who attended the meeting told Moneycontrol.

“The plan to shut down the runway was taken in consultation with all stakeholders. All airlines were told to reduce flights,” a DIAL executive told Moneycontrol on condition of anonymity.

DIAL, majority owned by GMR Airports, in December sought the ministry’s approval to close the main runway, on 10/28, for an instrument landing system (ILS) upgrade from April 1, 2025, to ensure it was ready in time for Delhi’s foggy winter.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) reviewed the request and the impact it would have on flight operations during the summer.

The civil aviation minister had called the meeting with DIAL executives, AAI and domestic airlines to investigate the reasons for flight disruptions, which led to long queues and delays at the country’s busiest airport.

The minister directed DIAL to reopen runway 10/28 by the first week of May. Naidu also stressed on the need to ensure minimal disruption of operations and comprehensive planning to factor in both the ongoing runway repair and weather-related disruptions, sources said.

He directed all stakeholders to work together to address the challenges effectively.

Despite the government’s intervention, passengers traveling to and from Delhi will likely continue facing delays till the first week of May.

Though DIAL has deferred the ILS upgrade work, it would likely take a week for the runway to get operational.

A notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued by the AAI on April 11, saying only 42 flights would be able to arrive during westerly winds and 32 during easterly winds from April 11 to July 21.

As part of its review, AAI had said during easterly wind conditions, which normally occur in May, departures would be allowed from runways 09 and 11 left or 11L and arrivals only on 11 right (11R). IGI has four runways.

Similarly, during westerly winds, runway 27 can handle both arrivals and departures. Runways 29L and 29R are used for only arrivals and departures, respectively.

Only two runways can operate in low visibility conditions from both ends. Runway 10/28, which was to be upgraded over the coming months, can handle low-visibility operations from just one end.

The upgrade would allow it to operate both ends during low visibility, which is often in winter months.

With its four runways and three terminals, the airport on average handles about 2 lakh passengers and 1,400 flights a day.