DGCA to inspect Delhi Airport runway today may reopen soon Instrument Landing System unusual eaterly winds dwarka vasant vihar

DGCA to inspect Delhi Airport runway 10/28 today; may reopen soon

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will inspect Delhi Airport’s runway 10/28 today, May 5. The runway was closed from April 8, 2024 for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade.

The runway will be reopened after DGCA inspection, and the decision will be taken tomorrow or the day after. The inspection is part of a larger project, and it will be shut down again on June 15 for further work. The runway will be fully operational by September 15.

The abrupt decision comes after days of significant delays brought on by the early easterly winds, which are unusual at this time of year. A plane may only land from the Dwarka side and take off in the direction of Vasant Vihar in these circumstances. Operations have become slowed down as a result, especially with regard to arrivals.

Delhi airport has three operational runways — RW 09/27, RW 11R/29L, and RW 11L/29R.

The original plan was to close Runway 10/28 starting on April 1 in order to make improvements before the winter fog season. The absence of CAT III ILS on the Vasant Vihar end of the runway caused significant operational difficulties for IGIA in the winter of 2023–2024. The now-deferred renovation was supposed to include a CAT IIIB ILS for the other end (Dwarka side).