Due to runway upgrades at Delhi Airport, 114 flights will be canceled daily from June 15 to September 15. This decision aims to improve flight safety during the winter season.
Delhi Airport Flight Cuts: Passengers planning to travel through Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi have received important information. According to Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), 114 flights will be canceled daily from June 15 to September 15, 2025, due to a major runway upgrade. This decision is intended to mitigate the challenges posed by winter fog.
Why is the runway upgrade necessary?
According to DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, runway RWY 10/28 is undergoing an upgrade. This upgrade is crucial because Delhi experiences dense fog during winter, significantly reducing visibility.
These conditions present considerable challenges for landing flights, often resulting in cancellations or significant delays. Therefore, the runway is being upgraded to comply with the CAT III-B Instrument Landing System (ILS) standard, enabling safe landings even in low visibility.
What is the CAT III-B system?
CAT III-B is an advanced navigation system that assists aircraft landings in extremely low visibility (up to 50 meters). This technology is especially important for airports experiencing frequent dense fog during winter. Delhi Airport already uses CAT III-B technology on some runways, but this upgrade will extend it to another runway.
How many flights will be affected?
Delhi Airport handles approximately 1,450 flights daily. Due to the upgrade, 114 flights will be canceled daily from June 15 to September 15. Additionally, 86 flights will experience adjusted schedules, meaning their timings will be changed or they will be temporarily removed from the schedule.
The runway closure will reduce the airport's maximum capacity from 42 aircraft per hour to 32. This reduction will impact busy routes such as Mumbai and Patna.
Passengers will receive flight refunds
DIAL has clarified that passengers whose flights are canceled will receive full ticket refunds from the airlines. Airlines will notify passengers via email, SMS, and other means. Furthermore, all necessary information regarding schedule changes will be released in coordination with the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
Work to be completed before the festival season
According to DIAL, the runway work will be completed by mid-September, but the complete installation and testing of the CAT III-B system is expected to be finished by November 27. While the project faced some delays, emphasis is now on timely completion to eliminate flight delays and cancellations during the winter season.
Minor inconvenience for travelers, but long-term benefits
Videh Kumar Jaipuriar stated, "Passengers may experience some short-term inconvenience, but this is a step towards long-term gains. The frequent flight delays and cancellations experienced by passengers during winter will be significantly reduced."
He added that this decision was deliberately made during the off-season to avoid inconveniencing passengers during peak travel periods.
Climate mitigation plan also underway
DIAL stated that a "Climate Mitigation Plan" is also being developed to address extreme weather conditions at the airport. This plan will be unveiled by the end of 2025 and will address all extreme weather situations, including heat, fog, and rain.
