Aviation Minister reviews Delhi Airport amid runway upgrade; urges minimal passenger disruption
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Ram Mohan Naidu stressed that smooth operations at Delhi Airport are of paramount importance and directed all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address the challenges effectively. "Passenger convenience remains our top priority," he said.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, this week, chaired a crucial stakeholder meeting at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) to address operational challenges arising from the ongoing upgradation work on runway 10/28, which typically handles a large share of the traffic and the impact of unexpected westerly wind patterns.
Notably, the runway was shut on April 8 to facilitate an Instrument Landing System (ILS) upgrade. However, with flight delays mounting, airport authorities are now revisiting their plans. The reports have also come up saying that Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is now preparing to make runway operational soon.
During the recent meeting, Minister Naidu reviewed the current situation, emphasising the importance of ensuring minimal disruption to passengers and airline operations. Naidu stressed that smooth operations at Delhi Airport are of paramount importance and directed all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address the challenges effectively. He emphasised on the need for comprehensive planning that factors in both the ongoing runway upgradation and potential weather-related disruptions.
Reiterating that passenger comfort and convenience must remain the top priority, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu has given strict instruction to all stakeholders to take timely, pre-emptive measures based on weather updates and ensure efficient utilization of available resources.
Addressing the workforce readiness, the Minister called for enhanced coordination amongst the stakeholders to prepare for any unforeseen challenges, ensuring seamless airport operations despite 1 of the 4 runways under upgradation. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) and AAI teams have been encouraged to leverage their expertise for maintain operational efficiency during this critical period.
Naidu expressing confidence in the collective capabilities said, “I am confident that with collective efforts and robust coordination, Delhi Airport will continue to deliver a world-class experience to its travellers, even amidst the challenges posed by infrastructure enhancements and unexpected weather conditions.”
The meeting focused on the importance of transparent and timely communication with passengers to alleviate any inconvenience during this period. The discussion concluded with a clear emphasis on meeting the runway upgradation timelines while minimising disruptions to airlines and inconvenience to passengers.
The meeting had participation of all the stakeholders from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, including Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar, DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, along with representatives from Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), all the airlines and the CISF.