Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has temporarily closed its third runway, 11R/29L, for a three-month period. As per reports, the Airports Authority of India said that the runway will remain out of service for both landings and take-offs until Monday, May 25.
No Impact On Flight Operations
The closure comes during the peak summer travel season but airport officials have assured that flight operations are expected to continue smoothly.
On an average day, the airport handles about 1,520 arrivals and departures, according to an airport official cited by The Times of India. Meanwhile, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the GMR Aero-led consortium that operates IGI Airport, has said that scheduled capacity during the closure will be maintained at 1,514 flight movements per day.
IGI Airport operates four runways: 27/9, 28/10, 29R/11L, and 11R/29L. During a similar closure in 2025, when runway 28/10 underwent repairs, roughly 200 flights were reportedly affected daily.
Taxiways Shut
According to a notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), more than 15 taxiways will also be out of service during the runway closure, Hindustan Times has reported. The NOTAM further stated that temporary procedures have been introduced to support air traffic controllers in handling operations safely.
During this period, Runway 09/27 will remain earmarked for VVIP, state, defence and designated scheduled civil flights, officials said.
Upgrade After 17 Years Of Continuous Use
The third runway, commissioned in 2008, has been in continuous use for 17 years. According to a GMR release in January, the temporary shutdown is necessary for strengthening and upgrades that will improve safety, operational resilience, and future capacity.
The runway has undergone regular maintenance since 2008, including minor rehabilitation in 2017. However, increased traffic, operational intensity, and natural ageing make comprehensive rehabilitation essential at this stage, the release said.
The Planned Upgrades
The rehabilitation work on Delhi IGI Airport's third runway will involve resurfacing the runway, constructing a new rapid-exit taxiway, and installing a new instrument landing system. The schedule also includes milling and resurfacing of flexible runway and taxiway sections, laying Dense Bituminous Macadam and Bituminous Concrete, removal and reinstallation of around 2,000 Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) fixtures, and basic strip works across 500,000 square metres.
Additionally, the plan covers construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET Z1) to enhance efficiency and reduce runway occupancy time, widening of Runway End Safety Area (RESA) drains with associated civil works, replacement of windsock cabling and electrical systems, rigid pavement upgrades across 39,000 metres, and the application of new pavement markings.
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