Delhi Airspace Closure From January 21: Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi will be affected for six consecutive days starting January 21 due to the temporary closure of airspace over the national capital for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
In view of the Republic Day celebrations, the government has issued a NOTAM announcing a daily airspace closure over the national capital from January 21 to January 26. During this six-day period, flight operations will be suspended for two hours and twenty-five minutes between 10:20 AM and 12:45 PM, impacting over 600 flights daily and affecting thousands of passengers through delays, rescheduling and cancellations.
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Why Delhi’s Airspace Will Remain Closed From January 21?
Speaking to Hindustan Times regarding the airspace closure, authorities stated that these restrictions are necessary for security reasons, ensuring the safety of various aircraft involved in the flypast and protecting dignitaries attending Republic Day events along Kartavya Path.
While the two-hour and twenty-five-minute closure will halt operations, not all flights will be cancelled. Instead, the airlines are expected to implement time changes, with many passengers being re-accommodated.
How Delhi Airspace Closure Will Impact Flight Operations?
- According to a report by Hindustan Times, citing aviation analytics firm Cirium, the daily airspace closure from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM coincides with one of the busiest operational windows at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
- This window is critical as inbound domestic flights connect to afternoon departures to Europe and other international and domestic destinations.
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- Any disruption during this period is expected to trigger widespread cancellations, delays and reschedules across airline networks.
- Following the airspace closure over the national capital, airlines will be forced to rework schedules at short notice, reroute aircraft, and manage misconnected passengers, all of which adds to the current operational woes across the network due to dense fog.
- The impact of airspace closure will not be limited to Delhi alone, as aircraft rotations mean that schedule changes will be felt at other airports as well.
Advisory For Passengers
- Passengers scheduled to fly during the restricted window between 10:20 AM and 12:45 PM from January 21 to 26 are advised to ensure their contact information is updated with their respective airlines to receive notifications regarding schedule changes.
- While airlines provide rebooking options or full refunds in case of a cancellation, airfares for alternate flights may be higher, potentially disrupting last-minute plans for thousands of passengers.