India
Delhi Airports Ramp Up Capacity as 35 Special Aircraft Arrive for BRICS Summit
Delhi is preparing to manage an unprecedented surge in air traffic as around 35 special aircraft, including VVIP flights and charter planes carrying foreign delegations, are expected to arrive for the BRICS Summit over the weekend, according to people familiar with the arrangements.
September 11 is anticipated to be the busiest day of the summit, with leaders and delegations from multiple countries scheduled to land in the capital. One official said the summit is expected to see participation from around 12 heads of state.
The first wave of special flights began arriving on September 4, officials said, with delegations following over the weekend. Two Russian IL-76 aircraft have already landed in Delhi as part of these early arrivals.
While VVIP movements are set to begin on September 9, September 11 will see the heaviest traffic, with delegations and heads of state from South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Russia, the Philippines, Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, Thailand and Nigeria expected to arrive. Leaders from Kazakhstan, Vietnam and China are scheduled to arrive the following day, September 12.
To manage the scale of the operation, several government bodies are working together, including the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Airports Authority of India, Delhi International Airport Ltd, Noida International Airport Ltd, Jaipur International Airport Ltd, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (primarily for a pre-BRICS event), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Customs, and Delhi Police.
Authorities have identified several airports in and around Delhi to park or divert aircraft during the summit, with parking bays already reserved. According to officials, the Air Force Station at Palam has set aside up to 12 parking slots, while Delhi airport has reserved 12 bays split evenly between wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. Noida International Airport has also reserved 12 bays, and Hindon has around 10 bays available for BRICS-related aircraft.
Officials said additional capacity has been arranged as a contingency. Jaipur airport has identified parking bays for use if needed, and Lucknow airport has been placed on standby.
A Delhi airport official said dedicated immigration counters will be set up for both arrivals and departures, and that ceremonial lounges and other facilities will be made available for VVIP movements.
Security preparations extend beyond airport premises as well. Local police forces from both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh have been brought in to coordinate security measures on the city side of the airports.