Repair work to shut down IGI runway for six months

New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport may run into rough weather with one of the three runways closing down for six months from April 2.

The upgrade of runway 28 will start on April 2. It will become fully operational by September 28. During that time, air traffic would be managed by simultaneous use of runways 27 and 29," said a release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Repair work on the runway would be carried out in a phased manner to ensure minimum inconvenience for taxiing aircraft, the release added. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a consortium led by Bangalore-headquartered infrastructure company GMR Group manages the airport.

The runway was last upgraded in 1999. After carrying out an inspection, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had concluded that it needed major repairs. The work will involve recarpeting of the surface as well as the upgrade of the support systems such as the runway lighting equipment.

According to sources, the closure of the runway would reduce capacity of the airport by 20 per cent. It currently handles 60 flights an hour at peak time (6-10 am and 6-10 pm) and has the capacity to scale up to 75 flights.

It is also felt that runways 27 and 29 are not parallel and no two aircraft can land or take off at the same time, which may lead to major congestion.

To ensure minimum inconvenience to passengers, the ministry has instructed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to promulgate procedures for air traffic control and minimum reduction of capacity.

"They (AAI) have also been asked to keep in readiness a contingency plan in case of disruption of work on either runway 27 or 29 during this period," the release said. The ministry will "very frequently review" the operations during this period.