Airfares from Delhi are likely to come under upward pressure over the next few months as the closure of one of the Capital’s key runways raises concerns over reduced capacity during the peak summer travel season.
Runway 11R/29L at Indira Gandhi International Airport will be shut from February 16 for at least four months for maintenance work. While Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has said it will maintain current traffic levels during the period, airline executives and travel industry officials say even minor disruptions could quickly translate into higher fares.
“While DIAL has pledged to maintain 1,514 daily flight movements despite losing the third runway until early July, the commitment hinges on flawless execution and cooperative weather patterns,” airline executives told Fe. According to them, even a brief disruption could push up prices, particularly during the summer holiday period when demand is at its peak.
Fare Spike Predictions
According to them, a 10% reduction in airportAirport capacity typically leads to a 5% rise in average fares. With the runway closure expected to reduce effective capacity by 15–20% at certain times, fare spikes from Delhi are likely, especially during peak travel weeks.
DIAL has maintained that the impact will be minimal and that the airport will continue to handle around 1,514 scheduled daily flights, compared with about 1,550 currently.
The runway being shut is one of two equipped with Category III-B instrument landing systems, which allow aircraft to land in extremely low visibility.
The February-to-June window overlaps with the tail end of Delhi’s fog season, the onset of easterly winds, and the peak summer travel rush. “Wind remains the wildcard,” according to executives. “During easterlies, arrival options shrink sharply. With 11R unavailable, capacity constraints become far more severe.”
Mitigation and Reconfiguration
DIAL has said it will mitigate the impact by reconfiguring operations across the remaining runways. Runway 29R will be used for both arrivals and departures, while runways 27 and 28 will handle arrivals and departures respectively. Airlines have been asked to adhere strictly to schedules, with monthly performance reviews planned by aviation authorities.
The caution stems from last year’s experience. In April 2025, runway-related disruptions led to widespread delays, with over two-thirds of scheduled flights affected and average delays crossing 30 minutes.