The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, has recently experienced a major operational disruption. The chaos that unfolded at the airport on April 20, 2025, has brought to light a crucial issue: the poor planning by domestic airlines. Despite receiving prior warnings about runway upgrades and potential weather disruptions, airlines made minimal or no adjustments to their flight schedules, leading to a cascade of delays and long queues for passengers.

Background of the Disruptions

On April 21, 2025, an urgent meeting was convened by civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. Senior executives from Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which operates IGI Airport, attended the meeting. DIAL officials informed that airlines had been notified four months earlier about the runway shutdown for upgrades and the possible weather-related impacts. The main runway, 10/28, was scheduled for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade starting in 2025, a project aimed to ensure safer operations during Delhi's foggy winters. DIAL had specifically requested airlines to reduce their flight frequencies in light of the work that would impact the airport's operations, but no significant changes were made by airlines.

Impact of the Runway Upgrade and Weather Factors

IGI Airport, with its four runways, handles around 2 lakh passengers and 1,400 flights a day on average. Runway 10/28, one of the key runways at the airport, was slated to undergo an upgrade to improve operations in low visibility conditions, which are frequent in the winter months. Currently, it can only operate from one end during low-visibility scenarios. Once the upgrade is completed, both ends of the runway will be operational in such conditions. This upgrade was part of an initiative aimed at boosting the airport's operational efficiency, particularly in foggy winter months when flight delays are frequent.

However, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) had also coordinated with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and airlines to address possible weather disruptions between April 11 and July 21, 2025, especially during westerly and easterly wind conditions. A notice to airmen (NOTAM) had been issued, advising airlines about flight capacity limits during these conditions. Despite these warnings, airlines did not significantly alter their schedules, leading to a significant number of disrupted flights.

DIAL's Response and Government Intervention

The Civil Aviation Ministry has been involved in trying to mitigate the issues. After the disruption on April 20, the minister ordered DIAL to reopen runway 10/28 by the first week of May 2025. In the urgent meeting, the minister stressed the importance of addressing both the ongoing runway repairs and weather-related disruptions to minimize impact on airport operations. This action comes as part of an overall effort to resolve the crisis and ensure better coordination in the future. DIAL deferred the ILS upgrade, but it will still take time before the runway can be fully operational.

Future of IGI Airport and Passenger Impact

As IGI Airport navigates this disruption, passengers traveling to and from Delhi can expect further delays until the first week of May 2025. The runway overhaul and weather-related disruptions will continue to impact flight schedules, with minimal capacity available for arrivals and departures during certain wind conditions. The government has also directed all stakeholders, including airlines, to cooperate better in the future to ensure smooth operations.

Moreover, the Indian aviation industry has now turned its attention to improving planning strategies and ensuring that disruptions like these do not escalate into full-blown crises. The need for better forecasting and coordination between airlines and airport authorities is now more apparent than ever.

Conclusion

The chaos at IGI Airport has shed light on several shortcomings in how domestic airlines handle logistical challenges, particularly regarding runway upgrades and weather disruptions. As DIAL works with the government to resolve the ongoing issues, passengers will have to bear the brunt of delays for the next few weeks. The aviation ministry has made it clear that more comprehensive planning and coordination will be essential to avoid further disruptions and ensure smooth airport operations in the future.

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