Delhi is preparing for a surge in special air traffic ahead of the BRICS Summit, with around 35 VVIP and charter aircraft expected to arrive over the weekend.
Authorities are coordinating operations across several airports in and around the national capital to accommodate aircraft carrying heads of state and foreign delegations, people familiar with the arrangements said.
Around 12 heads of state expected
“The summit is expected to see participations from around 12 heads of state,” one official aware of the preparations said.
Special flights have already started arriving. Officials said the first aircraft began landing on September 4, with delegations arriving over the weekend. Two Russian IL-76 aircraft have also landed in Delhi.
VVIP movements are scheduled to begin on September 9, while September 11 is expected to see the heaviest traffic.
Delegations and leaders from South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Russia, the Philippines, Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, Thailand and Nigeria are expected to arrive in Delhi on September 11. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Vietnam and China are expected to reach the capital on September 12.
Palam, Delhi and Noida to handle aircraft
Several airports have been identified to park or divert aircraft linked to the summit, with authorities reserving parking bays in advance.
“At Air Force station Palam, up to 12 parking slots have been reserved, 12 bays at Delhi (six each for wide-body and six narrow-body planes) and 12 bays in Noida airport have been reserved for all the parking. Around 10 bays are also available for BRICS related aircraft parking,” the official said.
The arrangements are aimed at managing the additional aircraft without disrupting regular airport operations.
Multiple agencies involved
The preparations involve several government agencies and airport operators, including the Indian Air Force, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Industrial Security Force, Airports Authority of India, Delhi International Airport Ltd and Noida International Airport Ltd.
Jaipur International Airport Ltd and Mumbai International Airport Ltd are also involved, mainly in connection with the pre-BRICS event.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Customs and Delhi Police are also part of the coordination exercise.
With aircraft arriving over several days, officials are working on parking and movement arrangements across the wider Delhi-NCR airport network to manage the summit-related traffic.