Delhi Airport to Reopen Runway 10/28 in May Amid Flight Delays and Congestion

Last Updated Apr - 21 - 2025, 01:24 PM | Source : Fela News

Delhi airport will reopen runway 10/28 in early May to ease air traffic congestion. The ILS upgrade is deferred as arrival capacity dropped due to the closure,

Amid rising air traffic congestion and delays, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) announced on Sunday that runway 10/28 will be reopened in the first week of May. The runway had been closed for maintenance and an Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade, aimed at improving low-visibility operations ahead of winter. In coordination with stakeholders, DIAL has decided to temporarily defer the ILS upgrade, allowing the runway to resume operations sooner.

Delhi airport has four runways, and the closure of 10/28—lacking CAT III capability on one end—has reduced arrival capacity, especially during easterly winds. The CAT III system allows aircraft to land in low-visibility, such as during fog. Although the full upgrade is now scheduled for completion by September, reopening the runway is essential to ease current air traffic.

Due to the closure, arrival rates dropped to 31–32 per hour from the typical 45, according to an Air Traffic Controller. To manage disruptions, authorities have been implementing Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) measures to reduce delays and maintain smoother operations.