Airport authorities facilitated 154 arrival movements involving 637 delegates and 99 departure movements involving 552 delegates during the summit, which was held from September 11-13. File
| Photo Credit: AP
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and other security and aviation agencies managed the arrival and departure of 1,189 delegates from 26 countries during the BRICS Summit 2026, handling a total of 253 flight movements through the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and Air Force Station Palam.
Airport authorities facilitated 154 arrival movements involving 637 delegates and 99 departure movements involving 552 delegates during the summit, which was held from September 11-13.
The delegations included 17 Heads of State and Heads of Government, along with Vice Presidents, Foreign Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Heads of Delegation, and other senior officials.
The airport operation also involved the movement of judicial delegations from 16 countries, including 12 Chief Justices, whose visits were coordinated as part of the summit arrangements, the CISF official said.
To manage the large-scale movement of dignitaries, the CISF’s Indira Gandhi International Airport unit deployed three dedicated teams headed by Deputy Commandants under the supervision of Commandant Shugna Ram. The teams were tasked with round-the-clock security, coordination and facilitation of VVIP, VIP, and foreign delegation movements across the designated airport facilities.
CISF personnel were stationed at critical locations to coordinate access, facilitate movement of delegations, and respond to operational requirements, while ensuring that routine aviation security measures and passenger services continued without disruption, the official said.
A dedicated 24×7 BRICS Control Room was also established to monitor and coordinate arrivals and departures. The 35-member Control Room maintained updated movement schedules, coordinated with field units and stakeholder agencies, and regularly compiled and verified movement data for submission to higher headquarters.
The summit logistics required close coordination among the Ministry of External Affairs’ Protocol Division, airport authorities, Delhi Police, intelligence agencies, Air Force Station Palam authorities, and other security agencies.
Despite the high volume of VIP and delegation movements, airport operations continued normally, with the authorities emphasising both security and passenger convenience, the official added.
Published – September 16, 2026 10:30 pm IST
