New Delhi: Are you planning to take a flight on January 25 or 26? If yes, then reconfirm your flight timings before you leave for the airport as Delhi Police may shut down Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport during US President Barack Obama’s arrival to India on January 25.
A highly placed source at the IGI airport told NewsMobile, “DGCA has issued a circular to close the air space for certain timings. And a note of that is forwarded to all the operators to reschedule their flight in that time zone.â€
The source also confirmed, “Changes are made in the flight path of civilian aircraft on January 25 and 26.â€
Discussing the preparations of the Airport Hemendra Singh, Chief of Public Relations at the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) said all the security measures have been taken up to safeguard the airport. However, he didn’t disclose the number of CISF sleuths deployed for security.
DCP Delhi Police Airport Security MI Haider said, “T3 terminal at IGI will remain functional till the government gives us an order. Otherwise, till then the Air Force Technical area will be used for all purposes.â€
Obama’s participation at the Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guest is a sign of steadily expanding ties between the two countries.
NewsMobile learnt that the security establishment has ordered a No-Fly Zone in the radius of 400 kms of the venue of Rajpath where Republic Day’s celebrations will be held.
According to sources, no flights would operate from the airports of Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Amritsar and Lucknow on January 26. Taking precautions on January 26, no plane will land or take off at the IGI Airport during the time of when Republic Day celebrations are on Rajpath.Â
Sharing the security measures at the airport a senior official requesting anonymity said, “Checks in Delhi are especially stringent. Security checks are stricter and a higher amount of time is spent on each passenger.
“We are also checking passengers arriving at the airport using the Metro train line,†the officer added.