An estimated 500 domestic flights could be cancelled and as many international flights will be rescheduled due to the restrictions, an airport official said, adding it was being done due to increased traffic and capacity constraints this year.
The airspace over Delhi remains shut for commercial flights due to rehearsals in the days leading to the Republic Day on January 26. According to airport sources, landing and take-off will not be allowed from 10.35 am to 12.15 pm during January 18-26.
"On an average 100 flights will be affected every day. We will accommodate 40 international flights before or after the closure hours. Out of the remaining 60, we will try to reschedule some of the flights. So, we could see roughly 50 flights being cancelled each day," said an airport official.
However, the Delhi International Airport Limited, which operates IGI, stated that no international flights will be cancelled.
"A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued regarding the operational restrictions from January 18-26. The issuance of NOTAM for the period leading up to Republic Day is a routine process which happens every year," a source said.
"The international carriers will be requested to reschedule their flight operations. However, domestic flights will be cancelled due to capacity constraints."
The Delhi airport witnesses 67 air traffic movement (both take-offs and landings) per hour between 8 am to 11 pm every day.