As the nation prepares for its Republic Day celebrations on January 26, Delhi International Airport Limited has issued an important notice affecting flight operations. There will be no flight arrivals or departures at the Delhi airport from 10:20 am to 12:45 pm every day until January 26 in connection with the Republic Day preparations and celebrations. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has revised the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to enforce these new restrictions. Initially applicable to non-scheduled flights with exceptions, the restrictions now extend to all flights during the specified time frame from January 19 to 26.
The 145-minute closure of Delhi airport daily for the next week could further affect commercial schedules after weeks of heavy fog causing delays, diversions, and/or cancellations of hundreds of flights. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updated flight schedules and plan their airport arrival accordingly, keeping in mind the stipulated no-operation hours.
The Airports Authority of India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) outlining restrictions from 6 am to 9 pm between January 26 and 29, with a complete flight halt on Republic Day from 6 am to 9 pm. In a post on X, Delhi airport said that, according to the NOTAM, no flights would be arriving or departing from Delhi airport for 2 hours and 15 minutes between January 19 and 26. Earlier, the restrictions were applicable only to non-scheduled flights with certain exceptions. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the country’s largest airport and handles 1,300 flights daily.
The 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2024, will feature French President Emmanuel Macron as the honored guest, marking the sixth instance of a French leader participating in Republic Day festivities. Until now, France and the UK were tied with five invitations each.
Landing or take-off of non-scheduled flights of scheduled airlines, and chartered flights will not be permitted from 10 am to 1:15 pm during the January 19-25 period. These restrictions will be in force from 6 am to 9 pm during the period from January 26 to 29. The NOTAM will not impact the operations of the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, Army aviation helicopter operations, as well as state-owned aircraft/helicopters flying with the Governor/Chief Minister of a State.
Akasa Air issued a statement indicating that some flights to and from Delhi between January 19 and January 26 have been cancelled or rescheduled due to airspace closure.
The partial shutdown of operations at one of the busiest airports in the world is an annual feature as the capital is placed under a security blanket before the Republic Day celebrations.
India will celebrate its 75th Republic Day next week with French President Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest; this will be the 6th time a French leader will be the guest of honor at a Republic Day parade.
As part of the security measures for the significant day, the operation of sub-conventional aerial platforms, including UAVs, paragliders, microlight aircraft, quadcopters, and hot air balloons, has been prohibited over Delhi in anticipation of Republic Day. The order came into effect on January 18 and will remain in force until February 15.
The order stated that certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries, and vital installations by using these platforms. In addition to platforms such as paragliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), micro-light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, and quadcopters, the order also mentioned para-jumping from aircraft.