BRICS summit: AAI announces airspace restrictions; non-scheduled flights are banned from IGI Airport in Delhi from 11th to 13th September | Today’s news

As India prepares to host the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi from September 12-13, the country’s capital is witnessing heightened security measures and several traffic diversions and delays have been reported across the city. Commuters are also likely to face changes and delays to train services, while air traffic and airport connections could also be affected by the movement of visiting world leaders.

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Delhi Airspace Restrictions: Here’s What You Should Know

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Thursday announced airspace restrictions around New Delhi ahead of the summit, restricting the entry of non-scheduled flights from 7 am to 11 pm between September 11 and September 13, ANI reported citing sources.

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

From September 11 to 13, non-scheduled flights from Delhi airspace are prohibited from 7 am to 11 pm. Only specific flights are permitted, including regular scheduled airlines and flights carrying summit dignitaries.

The airspace restrictions are part of heightened security measures ahead of the BRICS summit to ensure the safety of visiting world leaders and manage traffic around summit events.

Train services around the New Delhi railway station will see changes, including cancellations, diversions and rescheduling from September 11 to 13 due to the BRICS summit.

Commuters are advised to use the Delhi Metro to access the airport. Alternative routes include specific routes from Gurugram, Dwarka and various parts of New Delhi to avoid traffic disruption.

Yes, traffic restrictions will be in place on key routes from 11-13 September from 2.30pm to 8.30pm and commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance.

According to the report, special security measures will prevent all take-offs and landings at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) and other airports within a radius of 300 km from Delhi. Only designated flights will be allowed during the three days.

Exceptions apply to regular scheduled airlines as well as special flights with BRICS summit dignitaries and related flights, if their flight plans are approved in advance by Air Traffic Control (ATC). Such flights will be considered scheduled services. Flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), Border Security Force (BSF) and the Aerospace Research Center will also be allowed. Army helicopters involved in rapid response operations or emergency medical evacuations, along with government aircraft or helicopters carrying the governor or chief minister, will also be exempt.

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Regular commercial flights operating on regular routes will be allowed to continue. Special flights carrying foreign dignitaries and delegations will also be allowed to operate, provided their flight schedules and itineraries are approved in advance by the home ministry, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Regular scheduled flights and overflights will be allowed to operate on their normal routes within the 300 km zone, but will be subject to altitude restrictions. During the climb, the planes have to reach Flight Level 290 (FL290) before they are 200 km from Delhi, the sources said. On descent, aircraft must start descending from FL290 only when they are 200 km or more from Delhi.

Additionally, Safdarjung Airport (VIDD) will remain closed for the duration of the BRICS summit, with exceptions for IAF helicopters operating on emergency or VIP duties and some BSF and IAF helicopters used by the National Security Guard. Meanwhile, the Rohini helipad will remain completely closed.

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More than 30 special flights to land in Delhi

At least 35 special flights, including VVIP flights and chartered planes carrying delegations, will land in the national capital this weekend for the 18th BRICS summit, according to a Hindustan Times report. Leaders from 12 countries are expected to attend the summit.

Friday is expected to see the highest number of arrivals, with delegations and heads of state from Russia, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, the Philippines, Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, Thailand and Nigeria arriving in the capital. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Vietnam and China are expected to arrive on Saturday.

The restrictions will not be limited to Delhi airspace, authorities will also introduce traffic and public transport to manage the movement of delegations to the summit and ensure security across the capital.

Rail and Road Restrictions in Delhi: Details

Rail traffic around New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) will also witness changes from Friday to Sunday in view of the BRICS summit. Northern Railway has released a comprehensive train handling plan that includes cancellations, diversions, shortcuts, shortcuts, rescheduling, regulation and terminal changes.

The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on Friday asking commuters to avoid some key routes in the capital. The advisory said traffic diversions and controlled movement would be enforced on several major routes between 2pm and 8.30pm.

Despite complicated travel restrictions, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday assured commuters that metro services remain intact.

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Due to several restrictions in the air, rail and road network, commuters in Delhi are advised to plan their journeys accordingly during the BRICS summit.