BRICS Summit 2026: Delhi airspace curbs tighten as flight restrictions begin – What it means for travelers IGI | Today’s news

The BRICS summit brings tighter security measures not only to Delhi’s roads but also to its skies.

BRICS Summit 2026: What you need to know about airspace restrictions?

Special airspace restrictions are to be in place from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13, when New Delhi hosts the BRICS summit, with security rules affecting flight activity within 300 km of the capital, according to people familiar with the security advisory.

But there is an important difference for air travelers: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is not closed to scheduled commercial flights.

Regular flights may continue to operate

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

From September 11 to 13, there will be special airspace restrictions within a radius of 300 km from New Delhi, which will mainly affect non-scheduled flights and require prior security clearance for unauthorized aircraft.

Yes, normal scheduled commercial flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport will continue to take off and land despite heightened security measures during the BRICS summit.

Passengers should check their flight status, allow extra travel time for potential road closures and monitor alerts from the Delhi Traffic Police to anticipate delays.

Traffic restrictions are in place to ensure smooth movement of foreign leaders, dignitaries and VVIP convoys as nearly 4,800 traffic personnel are deployed for security and traffic management.

Emergency and medical vehicles will have priority passage, while essential services and designated government aircraft will be able to operate despite traffic restrictions in Delhi.

Normal scheduled airline flights will be able to take off and land during the restriction period. Regular commercial travelers should therefore not interpret the security measures as a blanket suspension of flights at IGI Airport.

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Special flights with BRICS dignitaries and related transfers will also be permitted provided their flight plans are approved in advance by air traffic control. These flights will be considered scheduled movements within the advisory.

A delivery man rides an electric scooter past a roadside BRICS summit banner depicting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)(AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

The restrictions primarily tighten access for aircraft and flying operations that do not fall into the permitted categories.

The broader measures come as Delhi prepares for the arrival and movement of foreign leaders and delegations attending the summit. The rally is being held at the Bharat Mandapam and a massive security operation is underway across the capital.

Which flights are allowed during the restrictions?

In addition to normal scheduled air traffic, this advisory allows flights operated by the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and Air Research Centre.

Army helicopters conducting rapid response operations or emergency medical evacuation missions will also be permitted.

Exempt categories also include state government aircraft and helicopters carrying the governor or chief minister.

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Any flight not on the whitelist will require prior security clearance from the Home Office, according to the advisory.

Height restriction in Greater Delhi Zone

The restrictions also apply to flights operating in a wider 300 km zone around Delhi.

Regular scheduled flights and overflights may continue on their normal routes but must meet the specified altitude requirements when approaching or departing from the area.

Aircraft climbing near the zone must reach flight level 290 — about 29,000 feet — by the time they are 200 km from Delhi.

Similarly, descending aircraft must not begin descending from flight level 290 until they are at least 200 km away from the capital.

The rules are designed to allow regular air operations and overflights to continue while tightening the security framework around the summit.

Safdarjung Airport and Rohini Helipad face closure

Safdarjung Airport will remain closed during the security period, except for specific IAF helicopters performing emergency or VIP missions and certain operations by BSF and IAF helicopters attached to the National Security Guard.

Meanwhile, Rohini Helipad will remain completely closed.

The measures contribute to a broader aviation security plan for the summit. Publicly reported restrictions have also curtailed other forms of flying, including some light aircraft and drone operations around Delhi during the high security period.

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What should IGI travelers do?

For most airline passengers, whether their flight can take off or land may not be a big deal. He can get to the airport.

Delhi is already facing extensive traffic restrictions, diversions and temporary shutdowns associated with VVIP movement during the summit. The flight may be operating as scheduled, but the passenger may still face delays in reaching the terminal due to closures or diversions.

Passengers should check their airline’s latest flight status prior to departure, allow considerably more time than usual for their journey and follow official notices from the Delhi Traffic Police and Airports.

The message to travelers is fairly simple: commercial flights are allowed, but security operations at the summit mean that both the journey to the airport and the transfer via Delhi could require a lot more planning than usual.