New Delhi : Due to restrictions on aircraft movement during these eight days related to Republic Day, airlines have canceled over 700 scheduled flights into and out of Delhi between January 19 and January 26. “No flights would be arriving or departing from Delhi Airport between 10.20 am to 12.45 pm (IST)” for January 19–26, according to a revised notice to airmen (NOTAM) released on Friday. Flypast rehearsals are subject to this yearly restriction. Airlines estimate that well over 700 flights may have been canceled as a result of the amended NOTAM, though Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) did not disclose the exact number.
According to reports, IndiGo, the biggest airline in India, cancels 35–40 flights a day, or roughly 300 flights overall. It has been reported that Vistara has canceled roughly 25 flights every day, which equates to another 200. There have been roughly 500 cancellations just from these two. When Air India and other airlines are taken into account, the total number of cancellations may approach 700, according to sources. On these days, flight delays could worsen if Delhi experiences heavy fog. The rationale is that, on days with heavy fog, aircraft movement typically resumes at the runway-constrained IGIA in the late morning. Afterwards, the backlog of flights that have been delayed or diverted since late at night is attempted to be progressively cleared until late evening, when visibility begins to decline once more.
Now till Jan 26, almost 2.5 hours of flight movement in what are usually good visibility hours will not be allowed. If you have a flight in and out of Delhi during these days, check with the airline about its status before heading to the airport, airline officials said.
An IndiGo spokesperson said: “Due to flypast rehearsals for the Republic Day parade, airspace restrictions have been imposed around Delhi airport from Jan 19-26. Consequently, rescheduling and cancellations of some IndiGo flights during these dates have been carried out. Passengers on impacted flights have been informed of the change in status and have been offered alternate options or refunds.” An earlier NOTAM issued on Jan 16 had restricted non-scheduled flights, basically charters, at Delhi from 10am to 1.15pm on Jan 19-25. Then as per the old NOTAM, from Jan 26-29 this restriction was to be from 6am to 9pm. Defence and state-owned planes, choppers flying in CMs and governors and scheduled flights were exempt from the earlier NOTAM. The new NOTAM by Airports Authority of India means scheduled flights are also affected now.
Read More
TATA Group Retains IPL Sponsorship Rights for 2024-28 Cycle
