Key Takeaways
• Runway 28/10 closes for 90 days from June 15, 2025, to upgrade the ILS to CAT III B.
• The upgrade allows safe landings in just 75 meters visibility, minimizing winter flight delays and diversions.
• Authorities require airlines to plan ahead, announce cancellations early, and support travelers to avoid past disruption.
Delhi Airport’s Runway 28/10 will be closed for 90 days starting June 15, 2025. This shutdown is needed to upgrade the Instrument Landing System (ILS) on this runway, taking it from a CAT I to a CAT III B standard. This work is not only about technology, but also about making flight operations smoother and safer, especially during Delhi’s bad winter weather known for thick fog. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is one of the world’s busiest airports, with around 1,300 to 1,400 aircraft taking off or landing daily. Any change in its daily routine has a big impact not just locally, but across India and even internationally.
Why Is Runway 28/10 Being Closed?
Runway 28/10 is an important part of Delhi Airport, handling a large share of daily flights. The main reason for the closure is the much-needed upgrade of its Instrument Landing System. The current ILS on this runway is Category I, which helps planes land when visibility is low, but only up to a point. CAT I works if a pilot can see at least 550 meters ahead. When thick fog covers Delhi Airport during winter, visibility often drops much lower, stopping landings and causing delays or diversions.
To solve this problem, airport authorities are moving the ILS to a CAT III B level. This advanced system will allow landings even if pilots can only see as far as 75 meters ahead. This is a huge jump and will sharply cut down the number of times flights are delayed or diverted in bad weather. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this change means that fewer passengers will have to deal with missed connections, long waits, or being re-routed to faraway airports.
A Look Back: Previous Runway Closure and the Lessons Learned
Interestingly, this upgrade has been tried once before in 2025. Runway 28/10 closed on April 8 for the same work to begin. However, things did not go as planned. Unusual easterly winds at that time made it even tougher for the remaining runways to handle all the traffic. The closure quickly caused serious trouble.
Passengers started facing long delays and more flights than normal had to be diverted, especially to airports like Jaipur. The airport’s usual smooth operation was hampered, with hundreds of flights affected. This situation worsened so much that Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu had to step in. After reviewing the chaos, he called a meeting with top officials and airline heads on April 21. The group agreed it was best to reopen the runway and postpone the ILS upgrade. Runway 28/10 was reopened ahead of schedule on May 6, 2025. The idea was simple: pick a time for the closure when weather and demand make disruptions less likely.
This past experience shows how difficult it is to make big upgrades to a critical airport. It also emphasizes the need for clear planning, close coordination with airlines, and clear communication with passengers.
New Plans to Minimize Trouble
Learning from the April-May experience, officials have put a number of new steps in place ahead of the next closure. On May 13, 2025, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held another round of talks with airline representatives and the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), who manage the airport.
Here’s what they agreed on:
– Airlines were told to look ahead and adjust their schedules well before the closure starts, not at the last minute.
– Some flights will be cancelled in advance, and these cancellations will be shared with the public, helping travelers plan.
– DIAL and the airlines are working together closely to put all needed precautions in place, from ground staff to extra support for affected travelers.
These steps are meant to stop the mistakes of the previous closure from happening again, making the next 90 days much easier for everyone.
How Will This Affect Passengers, Airlines, and Airport Staff?
Any runway closure at an airport as busy as IGI means many people are affected. During normal times, Delhi Airport sees up to 1,400 incoming and outgoing flights per day, connecting India with the world and serving millions of travelers.
For passengers:
- There may be fewer flights available during the 90 days. This could mean tickets are harder to get, or flights are more crowded.
- Some people may experience delays, especially if bad weather strikes and fewer runways are open.
- Passengers flying to or from Delhi should watch for updates, check with their airlines, and allow extra time for travel during this period.
For airlines:
- They have to adjust their schedules and may need to cancel some flights.
- Planning ahead is key, as the airport has asked all airlines to submit their lists of affected flights well in advance.
- Airline operations, including boarding and baggage handling, may take longer if the airport gets crowded.
For airport workers and staff:
- Everyone from ground crews to air traffic controllers will feel the effects. With one major runway closed, careful planning is needed.
- Airport staff will be called upon to help passengers find out if their flights are still operating, rebook tickets, or guide travelers to where they need to be.
The main message for everyone involved is to prepare early and expect some changes in flight schedules and airport routines from June 15 to mid-September.
The Technology: What Is an Instrument Landing System (ILS), and What Does CAT III B Mean?
For most travelers, the details of airport equipment may not seem important. But the upgrade to the Instrument Landing System is at the heart of this story.
The ILS is a very important tool for pilots and air traffic controllers. It uses a mix of radio signals and special lights to help a pilot land a plane—even if the view out the cockpit window is blocked by fog, rain, or darkness. Delhi, due to its location and weather patterns, sees some of the worst winter fogs in the country.
The categories—CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III—show how much the system can help in low visibility. CAT I requires the pilot to see at least 550 meters. CAT II cuts that to 350 meters. CAT III is the most advanced, and within it, CAT III B is the best currently in common use at busy airports. CAT III B makes it possible for safe landings with just 75 meters of visibility in the right weather conditions.
By moving Runway 28/10 to CAT III B, Delhi Airport will be much better prepared for winter weather, with fewer flight delays or canceled takeoffs and landings. For travelers familiar with the airport’s winter headaches, this is a major improvement.
To read more technical descriptions about ILS categories and their impact, you can visit India’s official Directorate General of Civil Aviation page on Instrument Landing System for deeper detail.
Timing Is Everything: Why Start in June and Rush to Finish by September?
A key improvement this time is the timing of the closure. In April, it became clear that closing a runway when demand is high or weather is unpredictable is unwise. This time, the closure happens during summer when fog is rare and the pressure on runways is a little lower. By scheduling maintenance between June and mid-September, authorities hope the upgrade will finish before winter weather comes back.
This means everything must be finished by September. The rush is worth it, though, since any delays past this point may throw thousands of flights and tens of thousands of travelers into trouble.
Why Does This Matter for Immigration?
IGI is a true gateway for people coming to or leaving India. It is a major connection point for students, workers, tourists, and families. The closure and upgrade of Runway 28/10 has special meaning for these groups:
– International students flying in to start the fall semester will be affected by any flight delays.
– Workers returning to or leaving India for jobs overseas will have to pay close attention to schedule changes.
– Immigrants traveling between India and their new homes may need to plan for possible extra wait times or rerouted flights.
– Airlines serving people on long journeys, with tight connecting flights, will have to be extra careful to avoid missed connections.
Even a few hours’ delay can mean missed appointments, connecting flights, or important life events.
For people who need to travel during this time, visiting the Delhi International Airport’s official website for real-time updates is a good idea.
How Have Authorities Prepared This Time?
After the disruption in April and the quick reopening of the runway in May, many lessons have been learned:
– Authorities are in close contact with airlines to keep them informed and ready.
– Airlines must tell the government and the public of any cancelled flights well before the closure date.
– The airport will step up its support services, with special help desks for people whose flights get canceled or delayed.
– Daily updates on flight status will be shared through official channels.
By working together, officials hope that these new steps will lessen the shock of closing such an important part of the airport.
Possible Challenges and Risks
Even with careful planning, some risks remain:
– If the upgrade takes longer than the scheduled 90 days, or if unexpected weather hits early, operations could suffer.
– If there is a sudden spike in demand—if, for example, a popular festival or a surge in international arrivals happens—the remaining runways could face strain.
– Technical problems in the new ILS installation, though unlikely, could delay reopening.
Authorities know these risks, and have backup plans in place, but it is clear that travelers should keep a close watch on announcements during this time.
The Big Picture: Long-Term Payoff for a Short-Term Setback
It’s clear that the closure of Runway 28/10 will cause short-term headaches for everyone who uses Delhi Airport. Still, the long-term gains are big. Once the new CAT III B Instrument Landing System is ready, the airport will be much more able to handle Delhi’s tough winter fog. For travelers, this means fewer delays, fewer last-minute changes, and safer flying all winter long.
For airlines and airport staff, the upgrade offers the chance for smoother operations and better planning across the busiest months of the year. For people whose lives depend on air travel—migrants, students, families, and workers—the improvements to Delhi Airport mean more reliable journeys.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
For now, the most important thing for travelers is awareness and preparation. If you plan to travel to or from Delhi Airport between June and September 2025, keep checking your flight status, keep in touch with your airline, and give yourself extra time. A few small steps ahead of time can save a lot of trouble at the airport.
Authorities are confident that this upgrade will lead to a better experience for all who fly in and out of Delhi. For more information and official updates, you can always check with the Delhi International Airport’s official website.
This careful planning, clear focus on safety, and improved technology mean that while the next 90 days may be tricky, the result will be worth the wait. As Delhi Airport moves toward smoother and safer operations, everyone from long-term immigrants to tourists stands to benefit in years to come.
Learn Today
Instrument Landing System (ILS) → A navigation aid using radio and lights to guide aircraft safely to the runway in poor visibility conditions.
CAT III B → An advanced ILS standard allowing aircraft to land safely when visibility is as low as 75 meters.
Runway 28/10 → One of the major runways at Delhi Airport, crucial for managing daily arrivals and departures.
Diversion → Redirecting a flight to another airport, often due to poor weather or closed runways at the destination.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) → Delhi’s main airport, one of the world’s busiest, connecting India globally with up to 1,400 flights daily.
This Article in a Nutshell
Delhi Airport’s Runway 28/10 will close for 90 days from June 15, 2025, for a critical Instrument Landing System upgrade. The new CAT III B system will enable landings in low visibility, cutting delays and diversions. Travelers should check schedules and prepare for temporary changes as improvements progress.
— By VisaVerge.com
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