Delhi Airport To Close For 145 Minutes Daily In January Ahead Of Republic Day 2025

In preparation for Republic Day celebrations, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) will implement daily flight operation suspensions from January 19 to 26. The airport will close for 145 minutes daily, from 10:20 AM to 12:45 PM, due to security protocols tied to flypast drills, dress rehearsals, and parade preparations.

This security measure, outlined in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), is a standard procedure during the lead-up to the annual Republic Day festivities. However, the temporary suspension of flight operations will impact over 1,300 domestic and international flights during the week, including those heading to key destinations like Toronto, Washington, Tashkent, Kathmandu, and Colombo.

While these closures will not result in outright flight cancellations, travellers should anticipate significant delays, rescheduling, and changes to flight timings. Passengers flying during this period should ensure they have the latest contact information with their airlines to receive real-time notifications on any adjustments to their itineraries. If you're yet to book your flight, avoiding scheduling during the closure times is advisable to minimize any disruptions to your travel plans.

In addition to the closures, Delhi is currently grappling with heavy fog, which has worsened visibility at the airport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange warning for "dense to very dense fog," signalling that travellers may face further disruptions due to weather-related delays. The combination of runway restrictions and poor visibility from fog has already caused widespread cancellations, with hundreds of flights grounded and delays reported daily.

Passengers should be prepared for further flight delays or cancellations related to fog during the Republic Day closure period. To avoid additional inconvenience, travellers are advised to check their flight status regularly, arrive at the airport earlier than usual, and, if possible, avoid booking flights during the scheduled closure times.