NEW DELHI: AHead of Independence Day on August 15, there will be certain restrictions affecting flights at Delhi airport. Official sources have revealed that non-scheduled flights will not be permitted to land or take off during specific time frames in the morning and evening. It's important to note that these restrictions will not impact the movement of scheduled flights on this significant day.

According to the officials, non-scheduled flights from both scheduled airlines and chartered flights will be prohibited from landing or taking off from 6 am to 10 am and again from 4 pm to 7 pm on August 15. The Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) under the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to communicate this restriction. However, it's essential to clarify that this NOTAM will not apply to flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), Border Security Force (BSF), and the Army Aviation helicopters.

Additionally, state-owned aircraft or helicopters carrying the governor or chief minister of a state will be permitted to fly. In addition to scheduled flights and these state aircraft, flights involved in quick response missions, casualties, or immediate medical evacuations will also be allowed to operate during the specified restricted hours.

NOTAMs are crucial notices that provide essential information to personnel involved in flight operations. In light of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and heightened security measures ahead of Independence Day, the Delhi airport has advised passengers that they might experience extended time for formalities within the airport premises. Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated with their respective airlines for flight-related information.

Furthermore, travelers can avail the 'DigiYatra' facility, which ensures smoother mobility to boarding gates, seamless travel experiences, enhanced security procedures, and dedicated gates. This contactless facility can save passengers around 15-25 minutes. Presently, the DigiYatra service is available at all departure gates of Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 of the IGI Airport.

Similar advisories have been issued by other major airports such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Commuters are advised to avoid crowding and are encouraged to arrive at the airports well in advance to accommodate the necessary time for check-in and security procedures due to the heightened security measures in place.

All major metropolitan airports have issued comparable guidelines, underscoring the importance of cooperation with security personnel.

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