The Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport seven-hour window is in effect to facilitate passenger movement during the festival season as repair and maintenance work continues on the runway from October 26 to November 6. The Indian Air Force has allowed a seven-hour window for civilian flight operations during this period, ensuring travelers can still reach their families and participate in celebrations. This phased approach replaces an earlier plan that called for a complete civilian closure and demonstrates how careful scheduling can balance essential maintenance with passenger needs.
During the first phase, the runway will be available for civilian flight operations from 5 am to 12 noon daily. This seven-hour window is designed to align with lighter traffic periods and to support essential inbound and outbound travel without compromising the ongoing repair work. For pilots and airlines, the revised NOTAM provides clarity on when civilian services will be permitted, helping to minimize delays and optimize flight planning during the peak festival season.
Phase 1 schedule and what it means for travelers
From October 26 to November 6, passenger services will operate strictly within a 7-hour daily window each day. The IAF has ensured that this window enables critical connectivity while specialist teams complete the necessary upkeep on the single-strip runway. Passengers should note that the runway is not entirely closed to civilian use during this period; rather, operations must fit within the 5 am to 12 noon time frame. The NOTAM period for this window includes a separate closure from 12 noon to 5 am next day to accommodate the work crew and ensure safety standards are met.
What this means for travelers is a predictable, limited access window that prioritizes safety and project timelines. Airlines and travel agents have adjusted schedules to maximize departures and arrivals within the available hours. For those planning during this window, it is advisable to confirm flight times with your carrier and allow extra time for check-in and security, since peak travel times within the window can experience tighter processing compared with ordinary operating days.
Phase 2: expanded window and continued safety measures
The maintenance project is organized into phases to minimize disruption during the festival season. Beginning November 7 and continuing through November 18, the airport will operate with an 18-hour window from 5 am to 11 pm daily, extending civilian flight operations considerably. This second phase reduces the inconvenience previously anticipated and aims to restore full connectivity sooner than a single, prolonged closure would have allowed. The extended window is paired with a nightly closure from 11 pm to 5 am next day during low-traffic hours, when maintenance ongoing after-hours is most feasible and safe for all operations.
In practical terms, the airfield will be available for civilian flights for the majority of the day in this second phase. Airlines can explore longer operating blocks, helping to maintain schedules and reduce the need for excessive overnight layovers. Passengers should stay alert to any adjustments from airlines, as ongoing work and weather conditions can alter the precise timing or gate allocations during this period.
NOTAM details and how pilots are adapting
The NOTAM issued for the October 26 to November 6 closure period specifies a window from 12 noon to 5 am next day for the runway’s full closure during this initial phase, with the seven-hour window available for civilian operations between 5 am and 12 noon daily. From November 7 to 18, the NOTAM updates to reflect the broader 18-hour operation window and confirms the new nightly 11 pm to 5 am closure. These precise times are critical for flight crews planning arrivals, departures, and fuel stops while ensuring the single-strip runway remains safe during maintenance activities.
The phased approach is a deliberate decision to avoid the worst travel disruptions during a busy festival season. By segmenting the work into controllable windows, air traffic controllers can maintain a high level of safety while still supporting passenger movement. Airlines, airport authorities, and airmen are collaborating closely to optimize scheduling, gate availability, and ground handling within the allotted windows.
Bird activity concerns and safety measures around the airport
In parallel with the runway maintenance plan, CHIAL officials, UT and Mohali administrations, and other stakeholders held a review regarding unusual bird activity near the airport. The focus is on flight safety, and the ATR action plan is being assessed to identify actionable steps for mitigation. The airport advisory committee has emphasized the need for effective waste management and remedial actions in priority order. The discussion follows the October 12 meeting where district and administrative officials were called to address the bird hazard and its potential impact on flight operations.
Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari and Anandpur Sahib MP Malvinder Singh Kang highlighted that this is a serious issue requiring coordinated action across multiple agencies. The committee noted that it would reconvene on November 1 to review progress and ensure that corrective measures are moving forward on schedule. The focus remains on sustainable, long-term solutions to reduce bird activity around the airfield, thereby protecting flight safety and reducing last-minute operational disruptions.
Operational context: maintenance work and aircraft movement
The maintenance project on the runways includes polymer modified emulsion work, an important surface treatment designed to extend the life of the runway in a high-traffic environment. The work supports long-term reliability for the airport and helps to ensure that the 7-hour window during phase 1 and the extended 18-hour window during phase 2 can be sustained without compromising safety. The blend of temporary travel relief with strategic pavement rehabilitation demonstrates a balanced approach that prioritizes both passenger convenience and infrastructure resilience.
Air traffic management during such maintenance requires close coordination with the IAF and civil aviation authorities. The integration of repair crews with flight operations means that planners must account for possible weather delays, partial runway usage, and staggered taxiing procedures. For travelers, this translates into a proactive planning mindset: verify flight status with the carrier, monitor Notams and airport advisories, and prepare for possible schedule adjustments on days with higher maintenance activity or wind conditions that affect runway operations.
Connectivity and flight activity at SBSI during normal days
Even outside the maintenance window, the airport supports a robust network of services, with more than 50 flights operating daily and direct connections to 21 destinations — 19 domestic routes and two international destinations. The festival season window adds an extra layer of complexity, but the airport authorities have designed this plan to preserve critical connectivity for residents and visitors alike. The knowledge that there are ample daily movements, including domestic and international links, provides reassurance that options remain available for travelers who plan in advance and align their itineraries with the published windows.
passengers should consider alternative travel options if their schedule falls outside the allowed windows. In some cases, nearby airports or alternate travel dates could offer more flexibility during peak periods. For those whose travel is flexible, this phased approach presents a chance to optimize connections and minimize layovers, particularly when festival-related travel peaks occur. The ongoing communication among CHIAL, UT, Mohali administration, and IAF underscores a shared commitment to keeping movement for essential travel as smooth as possible while work continues on the runway.
Practical guidance for travelers during the windowed operations
- Plan ahead: confirm flights with the carrier well in advance, and check the latest NOTAMs and airport advisories for SBSI during the specific phase you will travel in.
- Be early: arrive early at the airport to accommodate security screening and potential gate changes within the allowed window.
- Stay flexible: be prepared for schedule adjustments, particularly if weather or maintenance activities impact the exact operating times on a given day.
- Consider alternatives: if your destination has multiple airports nearby, evaluate options in case SBSI service is temporarily constrained within the published windows.
- Follow safety updates: keep an eye on keep-off-the-runway advisories and any new safety directives arising from the bird activity mitigation efforts near the airport perimeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact flight window at SBSI from October 26 to November 6?
During this period, civilian flight operations are allowed in a 7-hour window daily from 5 am to 12 noon, as part of the portable arrangement designed to facilitate travel during the festival season while maintenance is performed on the runway.
What changes from November 7 to November 18?
From November 7 to 18, the airport operates an extended window of 5 am to 11 pm, totaling 18 hours of civilian flight operations each day. There is a nightly closure from 11 pm to 5 am next day for continued maintenance activities, with the aim of minimizing disruption during low traffic hours.
How does bird activity affect flight operations and what steps are taken?
Bird activity near the airport has prompted a review by CHIAL, UT, Mohali administrations, and other stakeholders. An ATR action plan is under discussion, with a focus on waste management and remedial measures to improve flight safety. All actions are subject to ongoing review during the November 1 checkpoint and beyond to ensure continued safety alongside the maintenance work.
How many flights operate from SBSI daily and how many destinations are served?
More than 50 flights operate from SBSI daily, with direct services to 21 destinations — 19 domestic and 2 international. Even within the windowed operations, the airport maintains strong connectivity to key cities, offering travellers viable options during the festival season.
Conclusion
The seven-hour window at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport represents a practical solution that balances essential runway maintenance with passenger needs during a busy festival period. By phasing the work into two carefully coordinated windows, the IAF and civil authorities aim to minimize disruption while preserving critical connectivity for residents and visitors alike. Travelers who plan ahead, monitor NOTAMs, and stay flexible are best positioned to navigate the schedule confidently. As maintenance progresses and bird management measures take effect, SBSI is working to restore full operations while maintaining high safety standards. The outcome should be improved reliability for festival travel and a more resilient air transport link for the Chandigarh region.
