Delhi Airports main runway 10/28 will be closed for all operations starting today, for a period of three months. The official NOTAM is as below
A1327/25 NOTAMN
Q) VIDF/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/2834N07707E005
A) VIDP B) 2506160430 C) 2509151130
E) RWY 10/28 NOT AVBL FOR LDG AND TKOF DUE ILS CAT III UPGRADATION
WORKS OF RWY 10.
DRG THIS PERIOD FLW RESTRICTIONS SHALL APPLY:
1.TWY J6, TWY J7 AND TWY K5 NOT AVBL FOR OPS.
2.TWY N7 NOT AVBL FOR OPS.
3.PORTION OF RWY EAST OF TWY J5 NOT AVBL FOR TAXIING.
4.PORTION OF RWY 10/28 BTN TWY K2 AND TWY J5 AVBL FOR TAXIING.
5.TWY XNG K6-H6, K3-H3 NOT AVBL FOR OPS.
6.TWY XNG K2-H2 AND J5-G5 AVBL FOR OPS.
This decision, now well planned, comes after a failed attempt in April. The runway is closed to upgrade the Instrumentation Landing System on Runway 10. The planned upgrade in April went haywire as wind patterns changed unexpectedly leading to delays and creating chaos. The upgrade is essential since runway 10 is not CAT III B right now. The works will also see upgrades to the lighting system which will be extended for better visibility.
The airport expected that it would get the work done during the summer months for better control on weather. However, that was not the case as higher occupancy coupled with changed wind direction led to delays and more passengers taking to social media to complain. With Delhi being the largest airport in the country, the impact was felt across the country as aircraft rotations were impacted.
What is done now?
Airlines cancelled flights to and from Delhi for three months with the cancellations being largely in proportion to their operations at Delhi. This has meant that the reduced handling capacity at Delhi will reflect in daily movements, though not entirely.
This will mean reduced movements at Delhi and drop in passenger numbers, but during the relatively leaner times. Schools start early July in north India while they have already begun in most other parts of the country leading to a drop in leisure travel.
Network Thoughts
Delhi Airport’s runway 10/28 has been in the news for ILS last year as well when the operationalisation was delayed. For an airport as congested as Delhi, it would have always been a good idea to consult the airlines, reduce the movements and then start the work.
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