IGI plans 4-month runway shutdown for key upgrades

Delhi airport will likely shut its third runway, IIR/29L, starting mid-February for at least four months.

- Neha LM Tripathi

The closure is part of the latest infrastructure upgrade at the country’s busiest airport and will coincide with the summer travel rush.According to officials who asked not to be named, authorities have coordinated extensively to avoid the chaos that erupted during similar work last year, when thousands of flights were delayed and the upgrade works had to be abandoned.

However, some industry veterans have raised concerns about the timing and whether the planning will prove adequate. “Though runway and ILS works are necessary, with ongoing Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) issues, the government could consider scheduling the repairs at a more convenient time, as this may result in some slot changes during the current winter schedule,” an industry veteran said.

‘A meeting on the planned works was held at the Union civil aviation ministry on Thursday, where officials discussed a detailed plan for runway repairs. This will include replacement of instrument landing system (ILS) equipment at both ends of the runway, resurfacing, construction of a new rapid exit taxiway (RET), and extension of the drainage system at the runway end safety area (RESA).