Delhi airport set to surpass Mumbai in aircraft handling this winter

Delhi airport is set to surpass Mumbai as the country's largest airport in terms of aircraft handling, having enhanced its capacity to handle more flights for the winter schedule starting 1 October.

Mumbai airport has no scope for further expansion, and has not allowed any additional aircraft movements this winter schedule. Mumbai allows only 32 flight movements per peak hour, while Delhi has increased the number of flights it can manage during per peak hour from 40 from the summer schedule to 55 during the winter schedule.

This expansion in aircraft handling has come about with the third runway becoming operational a few weeks ago. Mumbai airport is currently the busiest airport in the country, relegating Delhi airport to the second slot.

In the summer schedule, Delhi airport handled around 230 daily departures, while Mumbai managed 330 flights a day. Following the third runway and the consequent capacity expansion, Delhi will now be able to manage 340 flights per day with immediate effect, surpassing Mumbai airport as the busiest in the country in the process.

Delhi airport still has some distance to cover in terms of coming up to speed with other international airports, such as Gatwick in London which handles around 700 flights each day.

Andrew Harrison, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) was quoted in the media as saying that the airport has allowed some additional flight movements by adjusting schedules between peak and non-peak hours. He said the airport has moderated peak hours and allowed some addition of capacity during the non-peak hours.