India-UAE travel: Advisory issued for Delhi-bound flights on January 26

Dubai: India’s airlines have issued travel advisories for passengers travelling to and from the country, especially New Delhi, ahead of January 26’s Republic Day holiday.

The Indian capital is expected to experience heightened security measures and traffic restrictions that may impact airport access.

Moreover, flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will be restricted due to preparations for Republic Day celebrations.

“No flights will operate from January 19 to January 26 between 10.20am and 12.45pm every day,” according to a post on X by the Regional Executive Director Airports Authority of India (North-East Region).

The flag carrier, Air India, has recommended that passengers consider these potential delays and plan their travel accordingly. Travelers should regularly check flight statuses for updates or changes to avoid inconvenience.

Air India on X (formerly Twitter) said, “Passengers travelling to and from Delhi between 19 and 26 January are requested to allow themselves more time and check the status of their flights before heading to the airport due to Republic Day restrictions.”

In addition to Republic Day-related disruptions, Delhi Airport has been facing flight delays and cancellations due to dense fog and airport congestion this past week. A thick fog enveloped parts of Delhi on Wednesday morning, drastically reducing visibility and affecting flight operations.

Arrive early

Budget carrier IndiGo has also issued a similar advisory to all flyers, stating increased security measures at all airports.

IndiGo said, “The best journeys begin with smart planning. With Republic Day approaching, arrive a little early and enjoy the ease of travelling with a relaxed mind.” The airline stated, “With increased security measures at all airports, formalities may take a little longer. To keep your travel worry-free, we recommend arriving a little earlier than usual and giving yourself that extra time.”

India is one of the biggest source markets for UAE Tourism. According to Dubai Economy and Tourism, 17% of the 16.79 million tourists who arrived in Dubai from January to November last year were from India.

On average, there are approximately 13 direct flights per day from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

Emirates operates 28 flights per week between Dubai and Delhi, averaging at four flights daily. Other airlines - including Air India, IndiGo, flydubai, and SpiceJet - also have daily flights on this route.

According to official figures, Emirates has 172 weekly flights across nine Indian destinations, averaging about 24-25 flights per day.