Delhi Airport Runway Shutdown to Impact Flights Indira Gandhi International Airport will experience flight disruptions from June 15 to September 15 due to runway upgrades

New Delhi, June 7, 2025:
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, India’s busiest aviation hub, is set to undergo a major infrastructure upgrade, as one of its primary runways will be shut for maintenance and resurfacing from June 15 to September 15, 2025. The planned closure, while aimed at long-term efficiency and safety, is expected to cause temporary flight delays, rescheduling, and potential cancellations, affecting both domestic and international travelers.

Runway Closure Details

According to a statement issued by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the Runway 10/28—one of the airport’s three runways—will be closed for a comprehensive overhaul. The maintenance work includes asphalt resurfacing, lighting system upgrades, drainage improvements, and reinforcement of the runway structure to accommodate increasing aircraft movements and larger aircraft types.

“Routine upkeep is crucial for maintaining operational safety and aligning with global standards,” DIAL said in its statement. “We request passengers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for updated flight information during this period.”

Operational Impacts

With over 1,300 daily aircraft movements, IGI Airport handles nearly 70 million passengers annually. The temporary suspension of one runway could reduce the airport’s handling capacity by up to 25%, according to aviation sources.

Civil Aviation analyst Shalini Mehra remarked, “Airports operating close to maximum capacity, like Delhi, are extremely sensitive to changes in runway availability. This upgrade is necessary but will require airlines to reoptimize routes and departure slots. Expect cascading effects on punctuality.”

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air—who typically have tight turnaround schedules—are likely to be most affected. Similarly, long-haul international flights scheduled during peak hours could experience rerouting or delays.

Airlines Respond

Major carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and Emirates have begun informing passengers about possible disruptions. Airlines are working with DIAL and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to manage schedules proactively.

“We’re revising flight plans to ensure minimal impact on travelers,” said an IndiGo spokesperson. “Passengers will be notified in advance in case of any rescheduling.”

Some airlines are considering night operations or shifting flights to non-peak hours. Meanwhile, others may temporarily reroute flights to nearby airports such as Jaipur, Lucknow, or Chandigarh, especially in case of unexpected weather disruptions.

Passenger Advisory

Travelers with flights scheduled between June 15 and September 15 are strongly advised to:

• Monitor airline notifications regularly

• Arrive early at the airport

• Keep flexible travel plans

• Avoid tight connections

For international travelers with connecting domestic legs through Delhi, layover buffers of 3–4 hours are being recommended by travel agents.

Economic and Market Context

This infrastructure upgrade comes amid a booming Indian aviation sector, which has seen record passenger traffic in Q1 FY2025, according to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, airport congestion, particularly in metro cities, continues to challenge both airlines and flyers.

The closure may also have short-term implications on airline revenues, especially for carriers with high operational concentration at Delhi. However, industry insiders believe these challenges will be temporary.

“A well-planned runway shutdown, though disruptive in the short term, leads to long-term gains in operational efficiency and safety,” said aviation market expert Rajeev Mittal. “Investors should view this as part of a necessary growth phase for aviation infrastructure.”

Investor Outlook

Aviation and infrastructure-related stocks such as GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd., InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), and Air India’s parent Tata Group may see mild volatility in the coming weeks. However, analysts maintain a positive long-term view.

“With travel demand strong and infrastructure being modernized, we remain bullish on aviation growth. This runway upgrade, though disruptive for a quarter, positions IGI Airport to handle future growth more efficiently,” said Priyanka Batra, aviation sector analyst at ICICI Securities.

Meanwhile, hospitality and travel-tech sectors could see near-term fluctuations due to passenger rerouting and scheduling issues. Travel aggregators like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip are also closely monitoring the situation.

Looking Ahead

This upgrade is part of a broader vision to transform IGI Airport into a global aviation hub. With additional terminal expansions underway and new taxiways being introduced, the airport is expected to accommodate over 100 million passengers by 2030.

While short-term flight disruptions are inevitable, the long-term benefits are expected to be substantial in terms of passenger convenience, safety, and airport efficiency.