IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air will face significant disruptions at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as runway 28/10 undergoes critical upgrades from June 15 to September 15. As part of the maintenance, 114 flights will be canceled daily, and an additional 86 will be rescheduled to non-peak hours to minimize impact. This planned closure is necessary to enhance the runway’s capacity for operations during dense fog conditions, ensuring smoother and more efficient operations in the coming winter months.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport will implement significant changes to its flight schedule as runway 28/10 undergoes essential upgrades between June 15 and September 15. The necessary maintenance will result in 114 daily flight cancellations, with an additional 86 flights rescheduled to non-peak hours, according to a recent announcement by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The move comes as part of a strategic plan to avoid the operational chaos experienced in April when similar maintenance work was abruptly halted due to uncoordinated efforts and unforeseen weather conditions.
Runway 28/10 Upgrades for Enhanced Winter Operations
The closure and upgrades are part of DIAL’s comprehensive initiative to make runway 28/10 compliant with Category-IIIB (CAT-IIIB) standards, which are required for flights to land in heavy fog conditions during the upcoming winter months. Currently, the airport’s single CAT-III B compliant runway allows only 15 flights per hour during dense fog. The upgrade will double this capacity, enabling 30 flights to land every hour, thus enhancing operational efficiency during the peak winter fog season when Delhi is prone to widespread flight delays.
This development follows a previous attempt in April to upgrade runway 28/10, which had to be abandoned due to the airport’s inability to manage the daily flight load. A combination of unseasonably high easterly winds and the lack of proper planning caused delays, reducing the hourly arrival rate from 42 flights to just 32. The disruption led to widespread cancellations and delayed flights, which significantly impacted passenger travel.
Impact of the Runway Closure on Flight Operations
As part of the planned closure, approximately 7.8% of all daily flights at Delhi airport, which typically handles around 1,450 flights per day, will be cancelled. This figure is slightly higher than the average daily cancellation rate of 3-4%. With the ongoing runway works, flights from major airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air will be affected. Specifically, IndiGo is expected to cancel 33 flights per day, while Air India will cancel 25.
In addition to cancellations, DIAL has worked closely with airlines to reschedule 86 flights during non-peak hours. This adjustment aims to minimize disruptions and ensure smoother operations by spreading flight movements more evenly throughout the day. Flights that would typically land during off-peak hours, when only 25 to 26 flights arrive, will be redistributed to reduce peak-time congestion.
Operational Adjustments During Maintenance
DIAL’s operational strategy involves redistributing traffic to the remaining three runways: 29R/11L for departures, 29L/11R for arrivals, and 27/9, which will serve a hybrid function, handling both arrivals and departures. Under typical westerly wind conditions, these three operational runways will be able to accommodate up to 42 arrivals and 42 departures per hour. However, in the event of easterly winds, which were problematic during the April closure, only 32 arrivals can be managed per hour, despite maintaining a capacity for 42 departures.
The runway work coincides with the monsoon season, a period marked by unpredictable wind patterns. The airport will be particularly vulnerable to the easterly wind scenario, which could result in further disruptions. DIAL has made preparations for these variations by making necessary adjustments to its operational plan and closely coordinating with all stakeholders involved.
Coordinated Effort for Smoother Operations
To avoid the chaos of the previous attempt at runway upgrades, DIAL emphasized the importance of careful planning. Following extensive consultations with airlines and stakeholders, the final schedule and slot adjustments were submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in late May. The ministry has approved the plan, ensuring that the necessary upgrades are carried out with minimal inconvenience to passengers.
Broader Implications for Other Airports
The closure of runway 28/10 at IGI airport will also have a ripple effect on other major airports in India, though the impact has been relatively minor. Flight reductions have been reported at airports like Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Patna, but these reductions remain modest, ranging from a 4-8% reduction in daily flights. For instance, Mumbai will see a decrease in arrivals from 56 to 54, while Ahmedabad’s arrivals will drop from 21 to 19.
Looking Ahead: Enhancing Future Operations
This extensive maintenance effort reflects IGI Airport’s commitment to improving its infrastructure for the long-term benefit of passengers and airlines. Once the upgrades to runway 28/10 are completed, the airport will be better equipped to handle the challenges posed by Delhi’s winter fog, ensuring that passengers experience fewer delays during this critical travel period.
With proactive measures in place, including flight cancellations, rescheduling, and enhanced coordination between airport authorities and airlines, DIAL is working to minimize the impact of these necessary upgrades. As the airport prepares for the runway closure, travelers are encouraged to check their flight schedules and plan accordingly for the summer and fall months.
