Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), India’s busiest aviation hub, is set to close its third runway, 11R/29L, from mid-February to June 2026 as part of an extensive infrastructure upgrade. The closure, which coincides with the peak summer travel season, aims to modernize the runway, but experts and industry insiders have raised concerns over potential operational delays during this period.

Airport authorities and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry have coordinated extensively to minimize disruptions, drawing lessons from similar attempts last year that resulted in significant flight delays and an aborted repair schedule. Officials stressed that the planning this time is more rigorous, involving detailed consultations with airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to ensure smoother execution.

“The work may begin from February 16 and continue until the end of June,” an official said, adding that the target is to complete the work before the monsoon. Pending final clearances, authorities remain confident the schedule will be met.

Planned Upgrades

The closure is part of a larger initiative to enhance operational efficiency and safety at IGI Airport. Key activities include:

• Replacement of Instrument Landing System (ILS) equipment at both ends of the runway
• Resurfacing the runway to improve safety and accommodate modern aircraft
• Construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET) to improve aircraft movement efficiency
• Extension of the runway end safety area (RESA) drainage system to ensure operational safety during heavy rains

Runway 11R/29L, which was commissioned in 2008, underwent minor rehabilitation in 2017. Officials note that the current upgrade is more comprehensive, reflecting the need to modernize facilities amid rising air traffic.

Managing Capacity and Avoiding Delays

Industry experts caution that despite careful planning, the closure coincides with both the end of Delhi’s fog season and the summer travel rush, potentially straining operations. “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,” an industry veteran said, emphasizing the risk of cascading delays if traffic management is not precise.

To mitigate disruptions, Delhi Airport has reconfigured the remaining three runways to balance the increased operational load:

• Runway 29R/11L, operational since 2023, will operate in mixed mode, handling both arrivals and departures.
• Runway 28/10, upgraded in 2025, will be dedicated exclusively to departures.
• Runway 27/09 will handle arrivals only.

The ministry assures that hourly arrival capacity of 38 movements per hour will be maintained from 6 AM to 11 PM. Overall, daily flight numbers are expected to remain consistent, with estimated 1,515 aircraft movements per day during the closure, compared to the current 1,550 flights when all runways are operational.

Lessons from 2025

Last year’s runway closure experience highlighted the challenges of executing major infrastructure upgrades while maintaining normal flight operations. During the April 2025 closure of runway 28/10, the airport had to cancel and reschedule hundreds of flights due to unexpected easterly winds, which reduced hourly arrival capacity from 42 to 32 flights. Delays cascaded across the country, totaling nearly 320 hours in just 10 days, before authorities temporarily abandoned the work.

Learning from this, authorities have emphasized careful planning and monitoring, including monthly performance reviews of airlines and adherence to hourly aircraft movement schedules. They have also accounted for easterly mode operations, where winds from the east require aircraft to take off and land eastward—a configuration historically less efficient at IGI due to the runway and taxiway layout optimized for prevailing westerly winds.

Coordination with Airlines

Authorities have conducted continuous discussions with airlines since December 2025, analyzing the impact of the closure on operations. Flight schedules, slot allocations, and departure timings are being carefully adjusted to ensure minimal disruption. Officials believe that with proper coordination and monitoring, the airport can maintain operational efficiency despite the temporary loss of a runway.

Industry Reactions

While the government and airport authorities remain optimistic, some aviation experts have expressed concerns about the timing and execution. The closure coincides with both lingering winter low-visibility conditions and the peak summer travel rush, making precise coordination critical.

“Though necessary, the work must consider operational limits during easterly winds and passenger traffic surges,” an industry veteran said. “The authorities need to ensure that lessons from last year’s aborted closure are fully implemented.”

Outlook

The February to June window represents a strategic choice, aiming to complete work before the monsoon while minimizing long-term disruption. If executed effectively, the upgrades are expected to enhance runway safety, improve aircraft turnaround times, and support the growing air traffic demands at India’s busiest airport.

For travelers, the closure may mean minor adjustments in flight schedules and potential slot changes, but authorities are confident that daily flight operations will largely continue unaffected, thanks to runway reconfigurations and careful capacity planning.

With Delhi Airport handling over 1,500 flights daily, the success of this project is crucial for maintaining India’s air travel efficiency and supporting the rapidly growing passenger and cargo traffic in the national capital region.