Airspace over Mumbai to be shut for Obama

NEW DELHI - The airspace over Mumbai will be closed before US President Barack Obama’s lands here Saturday.

Sources in the Airport Authority Of India (AAI) said that under the VVIP flight protocol, the airspace will be quarantined when the US president’s plane reaches Mumbai.

“We will be following the VVIP protocol during the US president’s arrival and departure as security is one of the main focus areas,” said an official who did not want to be named.

The air traffic control at New Delhi and Mumbai will be shared by American and Indian security personnel during landing and take off of Air Force One and other aircraft in the entourage, the official said.

Indian Air Force jets and helicopters will guard Mumbai and Delhi skies during Obama’s visit.