Over 1,000 Flights May Be Cancelled At IGIA To Adjust Incoming Planes For G20
More than a thousand commercial flights may be postponed or cancelled as the government has directed airlines to reduce frequency by one-fourth during the G20 meeting next month due to parking issues at Delhi airport.
Simultaneously, airlines have been requested to relocate some of their planes from Delhi to neighbouring airports. The Summit will begin on 9 September.
Because Delhi is India's main airport, airline executives have warned of nationwide network ramifications, which could result in flight cancellations.
Travel operators have urged tourists to abandon plans for certain specific days due to crowded hotels and road closures imposed by Delhi police.
On 9 and 10 September, heads of state from over 30 countries and key international organisations will gather in Delhi for the G20 summit.
More than 50 special aircraft will fly into Delhi for the meeting, bringing US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, among others.
Delhi International Airport, India's largest, has approximately 220 parking spots, although all are fully utilised due to increased aviation traffic. The situation is deteriorating as a result of 50 aircraft grounded at the airport owing to engine problems and Go First's insolvency.
According to sources, the Ministry of Civil Aviation informed airline executives on Thursday that Delhi airport was unable to establish appropriate parking positions for the special aircraft, which will transport heads of state and officials from participating nations.
Flights will be reduced from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 8 September and from 6 p.m. on 10 September to 12 p.m. the following day, as most delegates will fly in and out during these times.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation did not respond to questions on the matter, but a government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the decision was made following a series of meetings with airlines and Delhi Airport.
While it was proposed that aircraft drop off delegates and fly them to nearby airports such as Lucknow and Jaipur, the security teams of participating countries rejected the notion since leaders may be needed to fly back at short notice in the event of an emergency. "Plans for leaders at that level can change quickly, and in such a case, it will take time for the aircraft to return to Delhi and then fly out again," a government official explained.
“Such decisions should be communicated in advance, as the summit dates were known ahead of time. As the main hub, it will have an impact on connecting flights both locally and globally. Airlines will be forced to pay significant compensation to passengers,” said an airline executive.
