Delhi Airport issues advisory amid traffic curbs during India AI Summit; passengers advised to use metro

Passengers at Indira Gandhi International Airport are advised to use the Delhi Metro’s Magenta and Airport Express Lines as traffic curbs remain in place near Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Summit 2026.

• Delhi Airport warns of traffic delays during India AI Summit 2026
• Travellers urged to use metro and allow extra travel time
• Summit draws 2.5 lakh visitors, causing congestion near airport

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Travellers flying in and out of Delhi have been advised to plan ahead as traffic disruptions are expected in the national capital during the ongoing India AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

On February 16, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a passenger advisory warning of possible congestion on key roads leading to and from the airport due to major events being held in the city. The airport operator urged travellers to factor in additional travel time and consider alternative public transport options.

In a post on X, DIAL said passengers should plan their journeys in advance and opt for the Delhi Metro to avoid inconvenience. "In view of major events in Delhi that may impact travel to and from the airport, travellers are advised to plan their journey accordingly and consider alternative public transport options," the advisory read.

Passenger Advisory issued at 09:00 hrs.#DelhiAirport#PassengerAdvisory#DELAdvisorypic.twitter.com/BXwUkvvKiG

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) February 16, 2026

Metro routes recommended for airport access

To minimise delays, passengers have been advised to use:

Magenta Line for access to Terminal 1.

Airport Express Line for Terminals 2 and 3.

The advisory comes as large-scale international participation is expected at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and the India AI Impact Expo, events likely to increase vehicular movement around central Delhi.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off in New Delhi

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 begins today at Bharat Mandapam under the theme “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya.” The summit is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marks a significant milestone in India’s artificial intelligence ambitions.

Running from February 16 to 20 alongside the AI Impact Expo, the event spans over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and is expected to attract more than 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates.

The Expo features over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations organised across three thematic “chakras” — People, Planet and Progress — highlighting AI’s role across sectors such as agriculture, education, sustainability and governance.

Global participation and AI showcase

Thirteen country pavilions are showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem, including participation from Australia, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland, among others.

More than 600 startups are participating, many building AI solutions already deployed at scale. Additionally, over 500 sessions featuring more than 3,250 speakers and panellists are scheduled during the summit.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, the government is unveiling 12 indigenous foundation AI models developed by Indian startups and research consortia, trained on datasets tailored to India’s 22 official languages.

What this means for travellers

With the summit drawing global delegates, tech leaders and policymakers, heightened security and traffic management measures are expected around central Delhi and airport access roads.

Passengers flying through IGI Airport during this period are strongly advised to:

• Leave earlier than usual.
• Check real-time traffic updates.
• Prefer metro connectivity where possible.

As New Delhi hosts one of the largest AI gatherings in the Global South, travellers should expect heavier-than-usual movement across the city — especially near Bharat Mandapam and major arterial routes connecting to the airport.