Delhi International Airport to reopen third runway for operations from September 20

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The comprehensive rehabilitation of Runway 11R/29L, commonly known as the third runway, is complete and all necessary regulatory approvals are in place for its recommissioning from September 20, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Delhi International Airport (DIAL), the private operator of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, on Saturday (September 19, 2026) announced that it will reopen the airport’s third runway for operations from Sunday (September 20, 2026), about seven months after it was shut for major strengthening and upgrade work.

The comprehensive rehabilitation of Runway 11R/29L, commonly known as the third runway, is complete and all necessary regulatory approvals are in place for its recommissioning from Sunday (September 20), DIAL said.

DIAL is a joint venture between a consortium led by the GMR Group and the Airports Authority of India.

The rehabilitation project, which started in February, 2026, involved extensive strengthening and upgrade works aimed at enhancing operational safety, efficiency, resilience and long-term capacity at one of the country’s busiest aviation gateways, DIAL said.

The airport commissioned the third runway in 2008. The upgraded runway is now ready for operational use after all required inspections, validations and regulatory clearances, the operator said.

The programme included major airside infrastructure enhancements, including runway resurfacing, permanent threshold displacement of Runway 29L, construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway (RET Z1), upgrades to airfield ground lighting systems, pavement strengthening works and associated civil and electrical infrastructure improvements, DIAL said.

The enhancements are expected to improve runway efficiency, optimise aircraft movement, reduce runway occupancy time and further strengthen operational reliability, it added.

The runway had been in service for 17 years before the work began in February, with regular maintenance and minor rehabilitation in 2017, according to DIAL.

The country’s busiest airport handles more than 1,300 flight movements (arrivals and departures) with four runways, and can cater to 106 million passengers a year.

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