New Delhi: With almost 1,000 domestic flights being cancelled at IGI airport between January 18 and January 26 looming large over thousands of flyers, the aviation ministry has begun talks with defence authorities to try and reduce the number of days of airspace closure in the run up to the Republic Day.
Delhi airport has asked airlines to cancel all domestic flights between 10.30am and 12.15pm, and also those in 'buffer time' of plus and minus 30 minutes within those nine days. The move is expected to hit over 100 flights daily.
"We are trying to minimise the number of days and are in talks with defence ministry. We will see if the airspace closures can be limited to days when flypast practice takes place and obviously R Day," said a senior aviation official.
Two airlines — Air India and Vistara — said they would offer free rescheduling or full refund to passengers booked on flights that might get cancelled due to the airspace closure notice to airmen (NOTAM). Other airlines did not comment on their policy. Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) CEO, I P Rao, will meet airlines on Monday to discuss the issue.
Airspace closures always happen during the Republic Day, but till last year, a majority of flights were adjusted by being pre or postponed. However, now, with IGIA being completely choked, there is no possibility of adjustment in flights timings. The issue has arisen due to the failure to augment capacity of IGIA runways to handle more flights by laying the fourth airstrip and increasing passenger handling ability of its terminals, despite the fact that the airport has ample land for these things.
07/01/18 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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Delhi airport has asked airlines to cancel all domestic flights between 10.30am and 12.15pm, and also those in 'buffer time' of plus and minus 30 minutes within those nine days. The move is expected to hit over 100 flights daily.
"We are trying to minimise the number of days and are in talks with defence ministry. We will see if the airspace closures can be limited to days when flypast practice takes place and obviously R Day," said a senior aviation official.
Two airlines — Air India and Vistara — said they would offer free rescheduling or full refund to passengers booked on flights that might get cancelled due to the airspace closure notice to airmen (NOTAM). Other airlines did not comment on their policy. Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL) CEO, I P Rao, will meet airlines on Monday to discuss the issue.
Airspace closures always happen during the Republic Day, but till last year, a majority of flights were adjusted by being pre or postponed. However, now, with IGIA being completely choked, there is no possibility of adjustment in flights timings. The issue has arisen due to the failure to augment capacity of IGIA runways to handle more flights by laying the fourth airstrip and increasing passenger handling ability of its terminals, despite the fact that the airport has ample land for these things.
07/01/18 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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