Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has announced that the fourth runway and elevated eastern cross taxiway (ECT) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will become operational starting July 13. These new facilities are expected to reduce taxiing time for flights, resulting in reduced emissions. This article provides details about the upcoming operational changes at Delhi Airport.
According to I P Rao, Deputy Managing Director at GMR Group, the majority shareholder in DIAL, flights landing on Runway 29R and heading to Terminal 1 using the elevated ECT will experience a reduced taxiing time. Starting July 13, the taxiing time will decrease to seven minutes, as compared to the current 12-15 minutes. This improvement is expected to enhance operational efficiency at the airport, which currently operates three terminals.
The implementation of the ECT will also contribute to environmental benefits. Rao stated that each aircraft utilizing the ECT to reach Terminal 1 from Runway 29R will save approximately 350kg of fuel. On an annual basis, this change is projected to result in a reduction of about 55,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions at Delhi Airport.
Delhi International Airport handles a significant number of scheduled commercial flights daily, with approximately 1,155 flights, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. With the introduction of the ECT, the number of aircraft movements is expected to increase further, contributing to improved efficiency and reduced congestion at the airport.
Additionally, the fourth runway’s inclusion is anticipated to boost overall aircraft movement capacity at Delhi Airport, further solidifying its position as India’s busiest airport. Mumbai Airport currently holds the second position, handling around 828 scheduled commercial flights per day, as per Cirium data.
Delhi Airport’s fourth runway and elevated taxiway will begin operations on July 13, providing several benefits including reduced taxiing time for flights and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The introduction of these new facilities is expected to enhance operational efficiency and increase aircraft movement capacity at India’s busiest airport.
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