Delhi deploys multi-airport strategy to handle BRICS summit aircraft surge

Delhi's aviation infrastructure is operating under a specialized management plan to accommodate the significant increase in high-level diplomatic traffic during the BRICS Summit. With 35 special aircraft expected to service visiting dignitaries and delegations, authorities have implemented a comprehensive strategy utilizing multiple airport facilities to distribute parking and operational loads.

VVIP arrival procedures have been segregated from routine commercial operations, with dedicated facilities established to process visiting heads of state and senior officials separately. This parallel infrastructure allows diplomatic movements to proceed without disrupting standard passenger services, though the volume of special flights has necessitated careful coordination with commercial carriers.

Airport authorities have synchronized commercial flight operations around the timing of special aircraft movements, creating a coordinated schedule that maintains regular service while prioritizing high-level diplomatic arrivals and departures. The use of multiple airports across the Delhi region—rather than concentrating all traffic at a single facility—distributes aircraft parking and ground handling requirements, preventing congestion and operational bottlenecks.

The coordinated approach reflects the logistical complexity of hosting a major international summit in one of South Asia's busiest aviation hubs, balancing security requirements, diplomatic protocol, and the maintenance of normal civil aviation operations during the event.