Delhi Airport Assures Ministry of Civil Aviation: Closed Runway Work to Conclude by January 19

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) conveyed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Tuesday that the ongoing maintenance work on the closed runway RWY 10/28 is anticipated to conclude by January 19, aligning with plans for inspection by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The temporary closure of the vital CAT III-compliant runway, initially slated for reoperation in early January, has drawn attention due to disruptions caused by fog affecting numerous flights recently.

Despite adverse weather conditions leading to more than 50 flight delays on Tuesday, with no diversions reported, the focus remains on expediting the operationalization of RWY 10/28. DIAL cited various challenges, including disruptions in the supply chain for raw materials and issues with imported lights and signage replacements. Committing to swift completion, DIAL aims to wrap up all activities by January 19 for DGCA inspection.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who urged DIAL to hasten the reopening of RWY 10/28, emphasized that the runway would resume operations post re-carpeting work. The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi boasts four runways, of which three, including the CAT III-compliant RW 11L/29R, are currently operational. The airport typically handles approximately 1,300 flights daily, and CAT III compliance allows for flights to operate in low visibility conditions.

DIAL acknowledged challenges in the maintenance process, ranging from disruptions in the raw material supply chain due to anti-pollution measures to delayed supply of imported lights and technical issues with signage. The airport operator is also addressing unexpected challenges encountered during cable laying processes. Scindia reassured stakeholders' continuous efforts to minimize fog-related disruptions and passenger inconvenience, with DGCA emphasizing accurate real-time information dissemination by airlines and improved communication with passengers at airports as part of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

ET