Delhi · VIDP
DELIndira Gandhi International Airport · North India
Delhi is the political and diplomatic capital of India and the primary gateway for state, head-of-state, and corporate movements into North India and the Himalayan belt.
VIDP is the only Indian airport with a 4,430 m runway, four parallel runways, and full CAT III-B capability — making it the de facto fog diversion and heavy-jet hub for the subcontinent. LFS Delhi handles a disproportionate share of head-of-state, diplomatic, and ACJ/BBJ movements because security clearance and MEA-DGCA coordination here is non-trivial.
Operations notes
Runways 11L/29R, 10/28, 11R/29L, and 09/27 operate in segregated mode during peak. Business aviation parks at the GAT on the south side; ramp access is via Bird ExecuJet's hangar complex. Stand allocation favors wide-body bizjets on stands GA1–GA8 (full ground power, FOD-clean apron). Delhi handles the highest density of state-aircraft movements in the country — expect ground stops or holding for VIP movements with 30–60 minute notice.
Winter fog (mid-November to mid-February) is the operational defining factor. RVR drops below 50 m on 18–25 mornings per season. CAT III-B ILS on RWY 11R/29L and 28 makes VIDP self-recovering, but inbound traffic to Indian airports without CAT III routinely diverts here. LFS issues fog NOTAM digests daily through the season.
Security screening at GAT is mandatory for all passengers and crew (CISF-operated). Pre-cleared passenger manifests reduce screening time from 25 minutes to under 8 minutes. Diplomatic movements receive expedited handling on production of MEA clearance number.
LFS checks current airport slot requirements and coordinates the requested schedule. Fog and ATFM restrictions may affect availability; re-filing and recovery timing depend on current coordinator instructions, not a guaranteed response window.
GAT customs handles all general aviation. Foreign aircrew use a separate immigration counter with average clearance under 6 minutes. Domestic stops by foreign-registered aircraft require closed-tank refueling and pax remain onboard unless customs is re-cleared. CITES, hazmat, and large cash declarations must be pre-notified.
LFS coordinates Jet A-1 requirements with the local supplier. Request current pricing, applicable taxes and handling charges, delivery arrangements and release confirmation; prepaid payment does not guarantee a fixed release time.
Aerocity (5 minutes from GAT) clusters every major chain — JW Marriott, Pullman, Andaz, Holiday Inn Express. Tech-stop crew uses Niranta-style transit pods at T3 for sub-8-hour layovers. Indian e-Visa supports business and tourist categories; LFS provides crew-letter templates for visa-on-arrival contingencies.
Weather & seasonal factors
Fog (Nov–Feb), summer thunderstorms (May–Jun), and monsoon (Jul–Sep). Summer surface temperatures exceed 45°C with reduced takeoff performance — LFS includes performance regression in the pre-departure brief from April through June.
Permits & lead times
- Landing: DGCA landing permit + DIAL slot. Diplomatic clearance for state/government aircraft via MEA.
- Overflight: Delhi FIR — DGCA block clearance.
- Lead time: 72 working hours; LFS clears 24 hours for repeat profiles.
Recommended alternates
- VILKLucknow — 230 nm east, AOE, low fog frequency, 9,000 ft runway
- VIJPJaipur — 130 nm southwest, AOE, frequent VIP overflow station
- VICGChandigarh — 130 nm north, AOE, civil-military shared
Partners on station
Primary desk: Bird ExecuJet Delhi (LFS partner desk)
Delhi (VIDP) — frequently asked
How does CAT III-B coverage work at VIDP?
RWY 11R/29L and 28 are CAT III-B certified. Aircraft must be CAT III approved and crew current. LFS verifies aircraft/crew status against the inbound tail before fog onset.
What is the lead time for a diplomatic clearance?
MEA diplomatic clearance is processed in 5 working days; LFS coordinates MEA-DGCA-DIAL in parallel to compress this to 48–72 hours for state movements.
Is helicopter transfer available from VIDP to central Delhi?
No commercial helitransfer. Ground transfer via Aerocity is 20 minutes; central Delhi is 35–50 minutes depending on traffic.
Can I do a tech-stop without customs clearance?
Yes if pax remain on board, doors closed (one door cracked for ventilation only), fuel-only. LFS files tech-stop notification 12 hours prior.
LFS handles VIDP 24/7.
Send registration, type, route, dates. The desk reviews permissions, airport acceptance, parking, fuel and crew arrangements; each remains subject to confirmation.