NEW DELHI: In a bid to create parking slots for VVIP aircraft expected at Delhi airport for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled airlines may have to cut their flights in and out of Delhi by about 25% from September 8-11, reports Saurabh Sinha. The capacity restrictions, say sources, could see about 1,000 flights being reduced or rescheduled in the four days.
The move has become unavoidable as there was no headway in shifting any of the 52 grounded aircraft of IndiGo and GoFirst from Delhi to nearby airports. In IndiGo’s case, there were no replacement engines given by Pratt & Whitey; in GoFirst’s case, the airline itself is grounded.
Fewer commercial flights in and out of Delhi will mean scheduled airlines will have fewer planes at IGIA.
The decision to cut scheduled flights out of IGI from September 8 to September 11 was conveyed by the aviation ministry to Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) on Friday. The ministry will now discuss with airlines which flights are to be cancelled or rescheduled. TOIhad reported this issue on July 31.
Officials say it has been indicated to them that flight cuts may be required on September 8from noon to midnight when dignitaries are expected to fly in, and then in the evening of September 10 after 6pm for 18 hours or so when the dignitaries start flying out. Such a restriction will impact flights across airlines’ networks.
Delhi Airport has 52 A320 planes of IndiGo and GoAir grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engines issues. Decision to possibly cut flights was taken after no way could be found to resolve this issue by shifting them. While it was suggested VVIP aircraft drop off dignitaries and then fly off to nearby airport to be parked there, same was not accepted by security of participating Nations. Reason: VVIP aircraft have to be in same city to enable them to fly out as and when needed due to any circumstances.
The move has become unavoidable as there was no headway in shifting any of the 52 grounded aircraft of IndiGo and GoFirst from Delhi to nearby airports. In IndiGo’s case, there were no replacement engines given by Pratt & Whitey; in GoFirst’s case, the airline itself is grounded.
Fewer commercial flights in and out of Delhi will mean scheduled airlines will have fewer planes at IGIA.
The decision to cut scheduled flights out of IGI from September 8 to September 11 was conveyed by the aviation ministry to Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) on Friday. The ministry will now discuss with airlines which flights are to be cancelled or rescheduled. TOIhad reported this issue on July 31.
Officials say it has been indicated to them that flight cuts may be required on September 8from noon to midnight when dignitaries are expected to fly in, and then in the evening of September 10 after 6pm for 18 hours or so when the dignitaries start flying out. Such a restriction will impact flights across airlines’ networks.
Delhi Airport has 52 A320 planes of IndiGo and GoAir grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engines issues. Decision to possibly cut flights was taken after no way could be found to resolve this issue by shifting them. While it was suggested VVIP aircraft drop off dignitaries and then fly off to nearby airport to be parked there, same was not accepted by security of participating Nations. Reason: VVIP aircraft have to be in same city to enable them to fly out as and when needed due to any circumstances.
