Lucknow: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) operating in Uttar Pradesh to suspend flying activities for three days during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, a communication dated September 7 shows. The restrictions will be in force from 7 am on September 11 to 11 pm on September 13.
Scope of the DGCA order
The DGCA order applies to all aircraft operating from FTOs in Uttar Pradesh and explicitly covers light and microlight aircraft, hang‑gliders, helicopters and other small aircraft. The communication states that “
no aircraft including light/micro-light aircraft, hang gliders, helicopters etc. is permitted to fly even to start from any FTO” located in the state during the specified period.
Officials said the restrictions were imposed “in view of the BRICS Summit‑2026” and were approved by the competent authority. The suspension for FTOs is not limited to Uttar Pradesh: similar curbs have been announced for FTOs in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
Additional aerial exclusion zones around Delhi
Alongside the FTO suspension, the DGCA has placed broader temporary prohibitions on certain aerial vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) to strengthen summit security.
- Operations of light and microlight aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and similar long‑range aerial vehicles are prohibited within a 300‑km radius of Delhi during the specified period.
- Short‑range aerial activities — including hang‑gliders, para‑gliders, para‑motors, aero‑models and all types of drones — are banned within a 100‑km radius of Delhi.
The Directorate of Flying Training, in an accompanying email, described the measures as a “precautionary security arrangement” intended to ensure the “safe and smooth conduct” of the summit and requested full cooperation and strict adherence to the instructions from all stakeholders.
Immediate impact on training centres and trainees
The order directly affects FTOs across Uttar Pradesh, including flying schools based at smaller airstrips and private aerodromes that typically operate light aircraft for pilot training. For students and instructors, the three‑day suspension will mean cancelled sorties, rescheduling of training hours and potential delays in licence progressions that are measured in hours of logged flying.
Besides formal training establishments, private owners of microlights, hang‑gliders and other small aircraft who use FTO infrastructure or airspace for practice will be unable to fly from these bases during the moratorium. The broader 100‑km and 300‑km curbs will also restrict recreational and commercial operators whose normal operations bring them within the exclusion zones.
Practical information for affected operators
FTOs and private operators are expected to:
- Cease flying activities from their bases in Uttar Pradesh between 7 am on September 11 and 11 pm on September 13.
- Ensure no aircraft, including light or microlight planes and helicopters, commence flights from FTO premises during the stated period.
- Comply with the separate radius‑based bans around Delhi for long‑range and short‑range aerial vehicles.
Authorities have asked all concerned to extend cooperation with the security arrangements. Failure to comply with DGCA restrictions could invite regulatory action under civil aviation rules, the communication implied.
Context and stakes
The 18th BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from September 11 to 13 and will host heads of state and delegations from member countries. Large international gatherings commonly prompt temporary airspace restrictions to address security and safety concerns. For India’s most populous state, the DGCA directive highlights the ripple effect of a Delhi‑centric security perimeter on neighbouring states and aviation training infrastructure.
| Measure | Area | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FTO flying suspension (including light/microlight, hang‑gliders, helicopters) | Uttar Pradesh (also Punjab, Haryana, MP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh) | 7 am, 11 Sep to 11 pm, 13 Sep |
| Ban on long‑range aerial vehicles (light/microlight, UAVs) | Within 300 km of Delhi | Specified period (11–13 Sep) |
| Ban on short‑range aerial vehicles (drones, hang‑gliders, aero‑models) | Within 100 km of Delhi | Specified period (11–13 Sep) |
FTOs, trainees and small‑aircraft operators are advised to monitor DGCA updates and maintain liaison with the Directorate of Flying Training for any clarifications or amendments. The agency's move underscores the balance authorities must strike between national security imperatives and continuity of civil aviation activities in the region.
The DGCA communication was circulated to all concerned on September 7 and is effective for the summit dates as announced.
