G20 Summit: How Delhi Airport is gearing up to welcome world leaders
G20 summit. The summit which will see the presence of 19 heads of state will see the arrival of 50 VVIP jets.
Sources said that three ceremonial lounges have been prepared to receive the heads of State. Government officials said that teams of officials accompanying the leaders will be able to complete the formalities at these lounges and exit the airport from the technical area without affecting the movement of regular passengers.
“The VIPs will land at the technical airport but aircraft and private jets carrying them will be parked at the Delhi airport.
Special arrangements have been made to park the Air Force One and a few other important aircraft at the Palam Air Force Station,” said a government official.
The government has asked airlines to cancel upto 25% flights on specific hours on 8 and 11 September as it intends to keep airspace and terminals free of congestion. Flights will have to be reduced from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
on September 8 and from 6 p.m. on September 10 until 12 p.m. the next day, as most of the delegates will fly in and out during these hours.
Air India has waived off cancellation charges for people travelling between 7-11 September.
Delhi, which is India’s largest airport, has around 220 parking stands, but all are utilised due to the surge in air traffic. The situation is worsening due to 50 aircraft that are grounded at the airport due to issues with engines and the bankruptcy of Go First.
The air traffic control (ATC) which is operated by the Airport Authority of India issued instructions on Tuesday which said that charter aircraft, business jets will not be allowed to land or take-off. Safdarjung Airport will remain closed during this time, except for the IAF helicopters which may be deployed on
