New Delhi airport’s new runway open for round-the-clock operations

The Press Trust of India reports, the third runway of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which was recently inaugurated, has been opened for round-the-clock operation from yesterday. The runway, which was inaugurated on August 21 this year by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, was opened for commercial operations from September 25, 2008 but could not be used round-the-clock due to technical problems with the runway lighting system.

“The operational hours of the new runway were increased in a phased manner in accordance to best global aviation practices. Following the encouraging feedback from all stakeholders such as airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) on successful operations since its opening, the runway will now be available for operations round-the-clock,” a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said.

The third runway, christened 29/11, has CAT IIIB instrument landing system (ILS) on both Dwarka and Vasant Kunj sides which will allow aircraft to land even when the visibility is as low as 50 metres. The runway, built to Code F standards, can handle the wide bodied aircraft like Airbus A-380 and Antonov AN-225. DIAL, a joint venture consortium operating and developing the IGIA, had build Rs 1,000 crore the runway in a record time of 18 months -- six months ahead of schedule on February 2009. “This will enhance IGIA's capacity to handle more aircraft movements,” added the DIAL spokesperson.

The maintenance of the main runways (11-29 and 10-28) will be carried out on alternate days on the weekdays whereas secondary runway (09-27) maintenance will be carried out on Sundays between 1 pm to 4 pm.