Traveling by air? Check your flight status! Delhi airspace to remain closed from January 21 to 26

Delhi Airspace Closed: Delhi airspace will be closed for a few hours daily between January 21 and 26. This may affect several flights. Be sure to check your flight status before traveling.

Delhi Airspace Closed: If you are traveling from Delhi airport between January 21 and January 26, this information is crucial for you. During these six days, Delhi's airspace will be completely closed for a few hours each day. This measure has been taken due to the Republic Day parade, related rehearsals, the Air Force flypast, and VVIP security arrangements. The government has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) regarding this.

During the specified times on these days, no flights will be able to land in or take off from Delhi. This will directly affect hundreds of flights. Flight operations are already under pressure due to fog. This temporary closure could further increase the difficulties for passengers. If you have booked tickets for these dates, checking your flight status and staying alert is extremely important.

How long will the airspace be closed?

According to the government notice, from January 21 to January 26, air traffic over Delhi will be completely stopped daily from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM. During this time, no aircraft will take off or land. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the Republic Day parade rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and the Air Force flypast during the main ceremony on January 26.

VVIP movement and high-level security are also major reasons for this. Delhi Airport is the busiest airport in the country, from where thousands to hundreds of thousands of passengers take domestic and international connecting flights daily. This two-and-a-half-hour daily closure could affect the entire schedule.

What should you do?

This government decision may lead to changes in the timings of several flights. Some flights may also be canceled or rescheduled. This could cause significant inconvenience for passengers catching connecting flights. Moreover, foggy weather is already contributing to delays. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 600 flights could be affected during these six days.

Therefore, it is essential for passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. They should also keep a close eye on messages, emails, and calls from their airline. Arrive at the airport earlier than usual, and if you have a connecting flight, allow extra time to avoid any problems.