What is the story about?
As winter fog continues to disrupt travel, air passengers flying in and out of Delhi are set to face fresh trouble from January 21 due to the temporary
closure of airspace over the national capital for Republic Day preparations. The government has issued a NOTAM announcing airspace closure from 10:20 am to 12:45 pm for six days starting January 21. The restriction, imposed for Republic Day practice sessions, dress rehearsal and the main parade, is expected to impact over 600 flights daily and affect thousands of passengers through delays, rescheduling and cancellations.
How many flights will be impacted?
According to a report by Hindustan Times, which cited Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, this period coincides with one of the busiest windows at Indira Gandhi International Airport, when inbound domestic flights connect to afternoon departures to Europe and other international and domestic destinations. Any disruption during this window is likely to trigger widespread ripple effects across airline networks.
Airlines will be forced to rework schedules at short notice, reroute aircraft, manage misconnected passengers and offer refunds or alternate flights, all of which add to operational pressure and costs. The impact will not be limited to Delhi alone, as aircraft rotations mean schedule changes will be felt at other airports as well.
Why the closure of Airport?
Explaining the closure, authorities said as per the report by Hindustan Times, that such restrictions are necessary for security reasons to ensure the safety of aircraft involved in the flypast and to protect dignitaries attending Republic Day events along Kartavya Path. While not all affected flights will be cancelled, many are expected to see time changes or passenger re-accommodation.
Passengers flying during the affected hours are advised to keep their contact details updated so airlines can communicate schedule changes promptly. In case of cancellations, airlines typically offer rebooking options or full refunds. However, with last-minute changes, airfares for alternate flights may be higher, making flexibility crucial.
The situation could worsen on days when dense fog coincides with the restricted flying window, compressing operations into fewer hours and increasing the risk of congestion and chaos. With Delhi and Mumbai airports already operating near full capacity, retiming flights remains a challenge.
Aviation experts have also raised concerns over the timing of the NOTAM, noting that Republic Day closures are annual and predictable. They argue that earlier announcements could help airlines and passengers plan better, especially as Delhi aims to position itself as a major transit hub.
For now, travellers are urged to monitor airline advisories closely and plan for possible disruptions during the Republic Day week.
