How Delhi is managing 35 special aircraft, air traffic during the BRICS Summit - The Hindu

**Delhi’s Air‑Traffic Management During the BRICS Summit**

New Delhi has been transformed into a high‑security air‑traffic hub to accommodate the influx of 35 special aircraft carrying heads of state, delegations, media crews and security personnel for the BRICS summit. The summit, hosted at the Vigyan Bhawan and adjacent venues, sees a mix of government, diplomatic and commercial flights converging on Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) over a ten‑day period. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a dedicated “Summit Airspace Management Plan” was activated on 19 September, designating three temporary restricted zones (TRZ‑1, TRZ‑2, TRZ‑3) that overlay the usual flight corridors to ensure separation between summit traffic and regular commercial operations.

The AAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Indian Air Force, instituted a suite of measures to keep the skies clear and safe. All 35 special flights were assigned exclusive slots in a “priority lane” that runs north‑south along the Yamuna corridor, with real‑time coordination between civil ATC controllers and military radar units. Ground handling capacity at IGI was expanded by 25 % through temporary aprons and additional ground‑crew shifts, while nearby airfields such as Safdarjung and Hindon were earmarked for standby emergency landings. Airline operators were notified of a 20‑minute “buffer window” before and after each summit flight, and a live dashboard was shared with major carriers to adjust their schedules dynamically. The AAI also deployed extra surveillance drones and a mobile command centre to monitor any deviations instantly.

Beyond the logistical feat, officials highlighted the summit’s diplomatic and cultural dimensions. After an all‑night session, BRICS leaders emerged with a consensus joint declaration, despite earlier suspense fueled by the Iran‑UAE rift that had threatened to stall the text. The declaration, slated for release later this week, underscores cooperation in trade, climate and technology. Parallel to the high‑level talks, the “Weave of BRICS” culture bazaar showcased arts, crafts and performances from member and partner nations, offering a soft‑power complement to the summit’s political agenda. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Priya Nair praised the seamless air‑traffic coordination as “a testament to India’s capability to host complex multilateral events while safeguarding both security and commercial aviation interests.”