The CISF is in charge of the movement of more than 1,000 delegates during the BRICS summit

Airport authorities facilitated 154 arrivals involving 637 delegates and 99 departure movements involving 552 delegates during the summit, which took place from 11 to 13 September. File | Photo credit: AP

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other security and aviation agencies handled the arrival and departure of 1,189 delegates from 26 countries during the BRICS 2026 Summit, who handled a total of 253 flights via Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Air Station.

Airport authorities facilitated 154 arrivals involving 637 delegates and 99 departure movements involving 552 delegates during the summit, which took place from 11 to 13 September.

The delegations included 17 heads of state and government, along with vice presidents, foreign ministers, government ministers, heads of delegation and other senior officials.

Traffic at the airport also involved movement of judicial delegations from 16 countries, including 12 chief justices, whose visits were coordinated as part of the summit, a CISF official said.

To manage the large-scale movement of dignitaries, the CISF unit of the Indira Gandhi International Airport deployed three specialized teams headed by deputy commanders under the supervision of Commander Shugna Ram. The teams were tasked with round-the-clock security, coordination and facilitation of the movement of VVIPs, VIPs and foreign delegations through designated airport facilities.

CISF personnel have been deployed at critical locations to coordinate access, facilitate the movement of delegations and respond to operational requirements while ensuring that normal aviation security measures and passenger services continue without disruption, the official said.

A dedicated 24×7 BRICS control room has also been set up to monitor and coordinate arrivals and departures. The 35-man control room maintained updated movement plans, coordinated with field units and interested agencies, and regularly compiled and verified movement data for transmission to higher headquarters.

The logistics of the summit required close coordination between the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, airport authorities, Delhi Police, intelligence agencies, Palam Air Station authorities and other security agencies.

Despite the high volume of VIP and delegation movement, airport operations continued as normal, with authorities emphasizing both the safety and comfort of passengers, the official added.

Published – 16 Sep 2026 10:30 PM IST