Delhi Airport Reopens Third Runway After Major Rehabilitation

Delhi International Airport Limited announced that Runway 11R/29L, the third runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport, will resume operations on September 20, 2026. The runway had been closed since February 2026 for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme designed to improve operational safety, efficiency, and long-term capacity.

The project involved runway resurfacing, pavement strengthening, and the construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET Z1). Additionally, the airport upgraded its airfield ground lighting and electrical infrastructure. These improvements follow 17 years of continuous service since the runway's 2008 commissioning, with only minor work performed in 2017.

DIAL coordinated the project with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India to secure all regulatory clearances. The upgrades are intended to optimize aircraft movement and reduce runway occupancy time at India's busiest aviation gateway.