Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will start operations on its fourth runway next month

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is set to commence operations on its fourth runway, starting July 13. Initially, the new runway, named 'Runway 29 Right and 11 Left' (29R/11L), will be used exclusively for ‘departures’.

Delhi airport to become the only airport in India to have four operational runways

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has prepared trained Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to manage the operations on the new runway. With the addition of the fourth runway, Delhi airport will become the only airport in India to have four operational runways, similar to international airports.

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"Airports Authority of India (AAI) is ready as ANSP (Air Navigation Service Provider) to provide trained ATC Manpower," a Delhi ATC official said, reported ANI.

Currently, Delhi airport operates with a three-runway system known as the northerly runway and southerly runway, designated as 27-28 North and 29 South. The commissioning of Runway 29R, along with associated taxiways, is scheduled for July 13, 2023. However, Runway 29R will only be used for departures and will not be available for landing.

According to Aeronautical Information Publication(AIP), "Commissioning of Runway 29R along with associated and other Taxiways and Re-Designation of Existing Taxiways at lGlA... effective from July 13, 2O23. The Runway 11V29R is not usable for landing and will only be used for departures."

According to data from the Delhi ATC, the introduction of the fourth runway will lead to an increase in flight movements, exceeding 100 flights per hour. Presently, Delhi ATC handles approximately 86 flights per hour.

The suspension of GoFirst and the reduction in flight movements during peak hours have affected the overall number of flights. To continue to pending maintenance work, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) plans to temporarily close the other two runways, including the main runway.

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(With inputs from ANI)