Operational Restrictions at Indira Gandhi International Airport relaxed for two days

New Delhi : The operational restriction at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), as part of security requirements for the upcoming Republic Day, have been relaxed for two days, said an official on Monday.

Accordingly, the operational restriction has been reduced to seven days from the earlier nine days.

Airport sources told IANS that landing and takeoff would not be allowed from 10.35 a.m to 12.15 p.m during January 18-26, excluding January 19 and 25.

"The NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), which was issued earlier regarding the operational restrictions from January 18-26 has been tweaked," said the official.

"Airlines have been asked to submit a new flight schedule in consonance with the changes made."

The changes were discussed during a meeting held between the IGIA operator -- DIAL -- and other stakeholders of the airport, including airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) to chalk out an operations plan for the "NOTAM period".

However, even the reduced period under the NOTAM will call for truncation of flight operations. On an average, the airport handles over 65 movements per hour which includes domestic and international flights.

It is, therefore, expected that around 600 flights will either be cancelled or re-scheduled.