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

Delhi International Airport (DIAL), the private operator of Indira Gandhi International Airport, announced on Saturday that it will reopen the third runway for operations from September 20, 2026. The rehabilitation of Runway 11R/29L, also known as the third runway, was completed and all necessary regulatory approvals were obtained.

DIAL, a joint venture between GMR Group and the Airports Authority of India, initiated the rehabilitation project in February 2026. The project entailed strengthening and upgrading the runway to enhance safety, efficiency, resilience, and long-term capacity at one of the busiest aviation gateways in the country. The airport had commissioned the third runway in 2008, and after the upgrades, it is now ready for operational use.

The enhancements include runway resurfacing, runway threshold displacement, construction of a new Rapid Exit Taxiway, upgrades to airfield ground lighting systems, pavement strengthening, and associated civil and electrical infrastructure improvements. These measures aim to optimize aircraft movement, reduce runway occupancy time, and improve overall operational reliability.

The third runway had been in service for 17 years before the work began, with regular maintenance and minor rehabilitation in 2017. DIAL's country's busiest airport handles over 1,300 flight movements daily with four runways and can accommodate 106 million passengers annually.