IGI shut 2 hrs for August 15 air rehearsals

New Delhi: The New Delhi IGI airport was closed for commercial operations from 1 pm to 3 pm on Monday due to closure of the airspace over the capital on account of air exercises ahead of Independence Day, airport sources have said. The airspace over Delhi will be closed for the same time-period on Tuesday as well, sources said. However, commercial air-traffic resumed at around 2.40 pm on Monday after the air exercises, sources said.
Defence sources confirmed that an air defence and ground defence exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force took place on Monday afternoon. "The exercises will also be conducted on Tuesday afternoon," sources said. "The exercises are part of efforts to ensure preparedness of the capital against air-attacks ahead of Independence Day," sources said.
A notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued to airlines in advance by the air traffic control (ATC) and flight schedules were readjusted accordingly, sources said. An airline official confirmed that a NOTAM had been issued in advance for closure of airspace over Delhi from 1 pm to 3 pm on Monday and Tuesday. "In any case, this time-period is part of the off-peak hours when there is not much of air traffic," said an airline official.
11/08/08 Sridhar Kumaraswami/Asian Age

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Categories: Airports Aug 2008