With the national capital getting ready for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, air passengers are bracing for major disruptions. Airway closure over Delhi as per notices (NOTAM) on Tuesday 13 January 2026 would continue for a specific period of 6 days beginning from 21 January and ending on 26 January by maintaining a specific opening to the airspace.
This annual security solution is a tool to allow air travel the elaborate aerial flypast rehearsals, dress rehearsals and the last ceremonial show on Kartavya Path to go smoothly. The Brief Time Frame: 145 Minutes Of Silence The closure is not a total 24-hour lockdown but rather intentional cessation of any commercial flights activities during peak hours.
- Dates: January 21 to January 26, 2026
- Daily Time Period: 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM (IST)
- Total Daily Length: 2 hours and 25 minutes (145 mins)
In this period, no commercial flights international or domestic are permitted at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). Impact on passengers and airlines According to data from the airline analytics firm Cirium, over 600 flights are expected to be impacted over the period of 6 consecutive days. B
y using the 10:20 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. time block as the “bank” for local arrivals that connect in the afternoon with international departures to Europe and North America, the ripple effect will reverberate for thousands of visitors.
| Category | Expected Impact |
| Total Flights Affected | 600+ |
| Nature of Disruption | Rescheduling (Majority), Cancellations (Few), Delays |
| Busiest Hubs Impacted | Mumbai, Bengaluru, London, Dubai, and Singapore routes |
The Fog Factor: A Double Challenge
Aviation experts warn that the airspace closing on the same time as Delhi is experiencing peak fog season. The airline has to contend with “Dense” or “Very Dense” fog in the city as well in the morning hours, shrinking the time during which it can operate even more.
This “double whammy” of runway restrictions and low visibility often results in huge congestion at Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 as airlines rush to resettle passengers. Security Protocols The airspace restriction is mandatory for the safety of the Indian Air Force (IAF) planes involved in the flypast; It is also a vital security buffer for the leading figures, including the President of India and the invited Chief Guest, who will visit Kartavya Path.
Travel Advisory for Travelers
Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara are set to start issuing notifications for planned rescheduled flights this week. When traveling in this timeframe, passengers are encouraged to know that checking status, ensuring flight times are checked via the airline's website or app at least 24 hours before departure.
Get There Early
The public in general will get more lined-up during the non-restricted hours for security checks Flexible Booking - If possible, avoid booking connecting flights that take a short layover in Delhi during the last week of January
