Delhi airport announces third runway closure from February 16 for major overhaul — What passengers should know

Passengers flying in and out of Delhi this summer may notice changes on the airside, but airport authorities insist there will be no major disruption to schedules. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has announced a comprehensive rehabilitation of its third runway, 11R/29L, beginning February 16, subject to regulatory approvals. The project, one of the most significant airside upgrades undertaken at Indira Gandhi International Airport in recent years, will involve resurfacing the runway, building a new rapid exit taxiway and installing a modern instrument landing system. While the runway will remain closed for several months, DIAL says flight movement capacity will be maintained through careful planning, coordination with airlines and air traffic controllers, and use of the airport’s other runways.

Why the third runway needs a full overhaul?

Runway 11R/29L was commissioned in 2008 and has been in continuous service for 17 years. During this period, it has supported a sharp rise in aircraft movements as Delhi airport emerged as the country’s busiest aviation hub. According to DIAL, the runway has undergone regular maintenance, including a minor rehabilitation in 2017. However, sustained high traffic levels, operational intensity and natural ageing have made a comprehensive strengthening and upgrade unavoidable at this stage. The aim is not only to restore surface quality but also to enhance long-term safety, resilience and capacity to support future growth in air traffic.

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The rehabilitation programme is wide-ranging and technically complex. Planned works include milling and resurfacing of flexible runway and taxiway sections, laying of dense bituminous macadam and bituminous concrete, and rigid pavement upgrades across 39,000 metres. Around 2,000 airfield ground lighting fixtures will be removed and reinstalled, and basic strip works will be undertaken across an area of nearly 500,000 square metres. As part of the upgrade, fresh pavement markings will be laid in line with international visibility and safety standards.

One of the most important upgrades is the addition of a new rapid exit taxiway, known as RET Z1.

How flights will be managed during the closure?

Despite the temporary shutdown of the third runway, DIAL has said that the airport’s scheduled movement capacity will remain at 1,514 movements per day. This assurance follows multiple high-level consultations with the Airports Authority of India, airlines and air traffic control to assess and mitigate the impact of the closure.

The runway rehabilitation is scheduled to begin on February 16, following regulatory clearances, and is expected to be completed by early July, subject to approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Airport officials have emphasised that the timeline has been planned carefully to avoid peak travel periods as far as possible.

Commenting on the project, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, chief executive officer of DIAL, said the rehabilitation of Runway 11R/29L was critical for the airport’s long-term future. He said the project would strengthen operational safety and efficiency while ensuring compliance with global aviation standards. Jaipuriar added that DIAL was committed to completing the work on time with minimal disruption, in close coordination with regulators, airlines and other stakeholders. According to him, the upgrade reflects the airport operator’s focus on continuous improvement and readiness to handle future aviation growth responsibly.

The runway upgrade is part of a broader strategy by DIAL and its parent group to modernise infrastructure at India’s busiest airport. DIAL is led by a GMR Aero consortium, under the wider umbrella of GMR Airports Limited, which operates and develops airports in India and overseas.