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Key Points

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is temporarily closing Runway 10/28 for critical three-month upgrades to improve landing systems. The shutdown will impact approximately 100 flights, with 57 cancellations and 43 rescheduled flights. These upgrades include updating the Instrument Landing System and making the runway CAT III-B compliant for better operations in low visibility conditions. The CEO assures minimal sector-wide disruption, with only about 7-9% of connectivity affected.

Key Points: Delhi Airport Runway Upgrade Disrupts 100 Flights Temporarily

  • Runway 10/28 will be upgraded with advanced ILS and CAT III-B system
  • 7% of airport capacity flights will be cancelled
  • Upgrades aim to improve fog-time operations
2 min read

Runway upgrade at Delhi airport to disrupt 100 flights; 57 cancelled, 43 rescheduled

DIAL to shut Runway 10/28 for critical upgrades, impacting 57 cancelled and 43 rescheduled flights over three months

"We are planning to shut down one runway for three months because upgrades are required - Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, DIAL CEO"

New Delhi, June 6

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar on Friday announced that Delhi Airport will temporarily shut Runway 10/28 for a three-month period to carry out critical upgrades aimed at improving fog-time operations. This will impact around 100 flights in all.

Speaking to ANI, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, said, "Out of the four runways that the Delhi airport has, there is one runway 10/28 that we are planning to shut down for three months because there are upgrades that are required."

As part of the degradation, DIAL will update the current ILS (Instrument Landing System), which is already out of order. DIAL will also make the runway CAT III-B compliant. CAT III-B is an advanced landing system that allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility conditions.

Due to the degradation activity undertaken by the DIAL, 100 flights are going to be affected overall, out of which over 43 flights are going to be rescheduled.

"The new schedule has already been published, and 57 departure flights are going to be cancelled. If you put it in the perspective of the percentage, then overall, for Delhi airport, about 7 per cent of the Delhi airport capacity flights will be cancelled," said the DIAL CEO.

"We also ensure that the cancellations are not something that is impacting in a big way. So, in most of the sectors where we had multiple connectivity, their 8-9 per cent of the connectivity was reduced so that overall that sector does not get impacted badly," he added.

Global credit rating firm Fitch Ratings in April the current year upgraded Delhi International Airport Limited to BB+, kipping the outlook as stable.

In its commentary, the rating firm said that the improvement in the financial profile is likely to be materially higher than its previous expectations.

DIAL benefits from a stable regulatory regime with revenue and capex determined by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).

The company also benefits from its position as India's largest airport by passenger traffic and the gateway to the national capital region with a catchment population of over 30 million, supporting strong long-term growth prospects despite some competition from the proposed opening of Noida International Airport in the financial year 2026.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finally some proactive steps being taken for fog season! Every winter we see chaos at Delhi airport with hundreds of flights delayed. Short-term pain for long-term gain. 👍
P
Priya M.
Why do these upgrades always happen during peak travel season? Couldn't they plan this during monsoon when flight traffic is relatively lower? My cousin's wedding travel plans are now ruined 😤
A
Amit S.
Good decision but poor communication. Airlines should inform affected passengers immediately with proper alternatives. Last time my flight was cancelled, I got SMS at 2AM for 6AM flight!
S
Sunita R.
As frequent flyer, I appreciate this upgrade. CAT III-B compliance is much needed - remember last December when thousands were stranded for days? Hope they complete work before winter sets in.
V
Vikram J.
While upgrades are necessary, why is our infrastructure always playing catch-up? Shouldn't we plan ahead instead of reacting to problems? Noida airport can't come soon enough to reduce Delhi's burden.
N
Neha P.
The 7% cancellation figure seems low but will create ripple effects across connecting flights. Hope airlines have proper contingency plans. On positive side, Fitch upgrade shows confidence in our aviation growth story ✈️

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