Delhi airspace closure from January 21 for Republic Day rehearsals: 600 flights likely to be affected

Flight delays and cancellations have already been troubling passengers across North India, especially in Delhi, due to winter fog and cold waves. Now, air travellers passing through the national capital will have to brace for another round of disruption starting January 21, as Delhi’s airspace will be temporarily shut down for Republic Day rehearsals and security protocols, according to reports by UNI.Airspace closure scheduleDelhi airspace will remain shut daily from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM for a period of six days beginning January 21, according to a government Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The 2 hour and 25 minutes daily closure overlaps with one of the busiest hours at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), where it is likely to cause travel disruption.Reason behind the airspace restriction

This is to facilitate rehearsals of the Republic Day parade, involving aerial flypast exercises, defense displays, as well as cultural processions to be held along Kartavya Path.

Closure of areas is also looked upon as necessary to ensure that planes being used during the event remain secured. This is a practice that is repeated every year before Republic Day, celebrated on January 26.More than 600 flights to be affectedAccording to aviation analytics firm Cirium, over 600 flights could be disrupted over the six-day period. This timeframe usually experiences heavy air traffic, as passengers from all over India connect to afternoon long-haul flights to Europe and onward domestic destinations.

Experts say disturbances in this small window can create a ripple effect, causing delays on various routes. Airlines have only eight days to reschedule , handle missed connections, process refunds, and reroute passengers-all expensive and operationally complicated tasks for a busy hub like Delhi.While many affected flights may not be cancelled outright, several will have changed departure or arrival times, with airlines attempting to rebook passengers on alternate flights.Fog season intensifies the challengeAdding to the problem, these closures coincide with Delhi’s peak fog season. Persistent low visibility has already caused weeks of disruptions during early morning and late-night operations. A day of particularly dense fog could further shorten usable airspace hours, putting additional pressure on airlines, air traffic controllers, and passengers.

What travellers should doThe main affected group of people will be thousands of passengers who will be affected daily through flight delays, rescheduled flight services, as well as missed flight connections. Air companies will contact the affected air passengers directly; however, air passengers should monitor flight information regularly as they go through Delhi.With Republic Day rehearsals, tightened security, and winter fog all coinciding, January travel through Delhi may once again test the patience and flexibility of both airlines and passengers.