It doesn’t often happen that major airports in the country see non-coordinated maintenance happening, or sometimes just stuff that is out of their hands. Over the next three months, there will be a combined effect of these two factors to make sure the air travelling public is inconvenienced, a lot. Let us start with the Delhi Airspace Closure.

Delhi Airspace Blockade in January 2019

First and foremost, Delhi Airport. Delhi being the national capital sees airspace closure every time there is the Republic Day around the corner, largely to accommodate the rehearsal sessions for the flypast. Here is the NOTAM, which is effective tomorrow:

Q) VIDF/QFAXX/IV/BO /A /000/999/2834N07707E
A) VIDP
B) 19/01/18 05:05 C) 19/01/26 06:45
D) 18 20 21 22 23 24 26 0505-0645
E) NO LDG AND TKOF PERMITTED AT IGI AP, NEW DELHI (VIDP) DUE REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS.

This means you will not see any take-off or landings from Delhi Airport’s twin runways for one hour forty minutes every day, between 10:35 AM to 12:15 PM. This move is expected to affect about a 100 flights which might be cancelled at this time. As per the Delhi Airport, earlier they were able to adjust these flights to newer times, but with the airport being choc-a-block full now, it is no longer possible to accommodate those flights.

Mumbai Airport Runway Closure in February & March 2019

From February 7 to March 30, 2019, both the runways will close for six hours from 11 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This closure will be due to re-carpeting and overlay work of the runway intersection. Check this post for all the details on the closure of Mumbai airport. 

Bangalore Airport Airspace Closure in February 2019

The Aero India air show, which is held once every two years, will be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru from February 20, 2019, through February 24, 2019. Since the Airshow includes flying demonstrations, this will lead to airspace closure at Bengaluru for the days leading up to and during the airshow.

BLR’s solitary runway will close down between 1:20 PM and 4:30 PM from February 14 to 17, 2019. From there on, the closure extends from 9:50 AM to 12:00 PM and then again from 1:50 PM to 5:00 PM on 18/19/21/22/23/24 February. On February 20, the airport will remain closed from 08:50 AM to 12:00 PM and then again from 1:50 PM to 5:00 PM. Here is the NOTAM:

Q) VOMF/QFALC/IV/NBO /A /000/999/1312N07742E
A) VOBL
B) 19/02/14 07:50 C) 19/02/24 11:30
D) 14-17 0750-1100, 18-19 21-24 0420-0630 0820-1130, 20 0320-0630 0820-1130
E) AS A CONSEQUENCE OF AIRSPACE CLOSURE IN CONNECTION WITH AERO INDIA SHOW 2019 KEMPEGOWDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BENGALURU WILL REMAIN CLSD FOR ACFT OPS

Bottomline

Expect a lot of chaos in the coming days and a lot of flight reschedules and cancellations, as three of the biggest airports in the country will see closures for various reasons. If you are scheduled to fly from these airports at these times, make sure to check your flight tickets again to ensure that you are on a flight on the time of your choice, and or are able to reschedule your flights accordingly.

Have you heard from any of the airlines yet if you are booked to fly on these dates about rescheduling your flight or cancellations? Do share your experiences below.