One runway at Delhi airport set to be shut for four months on February 16, won’t hit flight ops, says DIAL

The work is expected to begin on February 16 after regulatory clearances and the runway is expected to reopen in early July, subject to approval from aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

According to airport operator DIAL, IGI Airport has a capacity of operating 1,514 aircraft per day and that the closure of the runway is not going to affect that. “DIAL, in coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other stakeholders, convened multiple high-level consultations to assess and mitigate the impact of closure … Also, airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) have been fully briefed, and operational plans are in place to ensure smooth continuity of services,” it said.

The rehabilitation will include resurfacing the runway and the taxiways. Installation of a new Instrument Landing System (ILS) — a radio-based navigation system to help pilots land safely during poor visibility — is also on the cards. The project includes construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway, While aircraft use taxiways to move between runways and parking areas, a rapid exit taxiway allows aircraft to leave the runway more quickly after landing, thereby reducing the time a runway is occupied and helping manage traffic more efficiently, especially during peak hours.

Around 2,000 airfield ground lights will be removed and reinstalled as part of the project. These lights outline runway edges, centre line and landing zones, helping pilots spot the runway during night and low visibility. Drainage near the runway ends will also be widened to prevent water accumulation during heavy rain.