Delhi Airport to temporarily close runway 10/28 for upgrade from June 15

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is set to temporarily shut down Runway 10/28 for 90 days starting June 15, 2025, to upgrade its Instrument Landing System (ILS) to Category III-B standards. This enhancement aims to improve aircraft operations during low-visibility conditions, particularly addressing the challenges posed by heavy fog in Delhi's winter season.

The CAT III-B system allows aircraft to land in visibility as low as 50 meters, significantly reducing delays and diversions during adverse weather. Currently, Runway 10/28 has CAT III-B capability on its 28 end (Vasant Vihar side), and this upgrade will extend the same capability to the 10 end (Dwarka side), ensuring full CAT III-B compliance across the runway.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar stated that the airport handles approximately 1,450 aircraft movements daily. During the upgrade, about 114 daily movements will be affected, accounting for roughly 7.5 per cent of total operations. To minimise disruptions, DIAL has coordinated with airlines to adjust schedules, cancel non-essential flights, and reschedule others.

The timing of the closure coincides with the lean travel season and a period when wind patterns are expected to shift to westerly, potentially easing the strain on the airport’s remaining runways: 09/27, 11R/29L, and 11L/29R. Runway 09/27, the oldest and shortest, lacks CAT III capabilities, while 11R/29L and 11L/29R are equipped for low-visibility operations.

This upgrade is part of DIAL's broader initiative to enhance the airport's infrastructure and ensure smoother operations during Delhi's notorious foggy winters.  Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updates on flight schedules during this period.

The runway is expected to reopen with full CAT III-B capabilities by mid-September 2025, ahead of the winter season.