Government Issues Guidelines to Airlines and Airports for Smooth Operations During Fog Season

Government Issues Guidelines to Airlines and Airports: Before reiterating that airlines should cancel flights regarding delays in excess of three hours, the Civil Aviation Ministry advised airlines to sensitize their Operations Control Centres and warroom representatives for better coordination during adverse weather conditions, especially fog.

The ministry, which had conducted rounds of consultation with the stakeholders-airlines, airport operators-with a view to ensuring their preparedness for foggy conditions, made that statement in an official release: Such efforts must indicate that passengers are not kept inside delayed aircraft for more than 90 minutes as that would signal significantly minimizing passenger inconvenience and ensuring a smoother re-boarding once flights continue operating.

Also Read: New Orleans Tragedy: 10 Dead, 30 Injured as Truck Plows into New Year Crowd

It further said that DGCA, in close coordination with airlines, has ensured to deploy an adequate number of CAT II/CAT III compliant crew and aircraft to carry out low visibility operations effectively during the fog period at the affected airports. Three runways at the Delhi airport have activated CAT III ILS systems, including the important Runway 10/28.

All these are just another few of the specific initiatives it has taken in line with its emphasis on promoting "Ease of Flying", stated the release, emphasizing that these initiatives streamline the overall travel experience, reduce delays, and offer smoother, more efficient travel for passengers on busy holiday travel, something that weather disruptions-for instance, fog-causes.

This important objective of the Ministry includes transparent communication with the flying public and directed the airlines to proactively communicate with passengers regarding expected delays/cancellations because of visibility issues.

Recently, the airline has been put under the burden of an earlier instruction to cancel the upcoming flight if it prolongs the waiting time to more than three hours. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put OTAs under its religious services to better and clear communication to the passengers who booked themselves with them for a smoother experience and convenience.

Closer coordination with Operations Control Centres and war-room representatives will enhance real-time decision-making and responsiveness in case of flight delays or cancellations, since the airline employees would have a better understanding of the on-ground realities of airport operations, stated the release.

Also Read: Delhi Bakery Owner Dies by Suicide Amid Divorce Dispute: Family Alleges Mental Torture by Wife

It is also said that all airlines committed to ensure full staffing at check-in counters during peak hours to reduce inconvenience to passengers, adding that stakeholders were reminded to ensure compliance to DGCA guidelines during delays or cancellations, and most importantly, to make sure that passengers are kept informed in a prompt manner.

As for the minister, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) circular to smoothen the entry back into the fold of passengers frequenting cancellation of a flight is now functional and drills were conducted by CISF along with the difference of stakeholders out of the exercises.

It further stated that AAI has implemented new SOPs regarding efficient Wide Area Traffic Management, which are meant to effectively control air traffic at fog-affected airports and at the originating or terminal airports.

A closer and real-time coordination among air traffic controllers, airport and airline command centre and central air traffic flow management has been advocated to all stakeholders, it said.

Also Read: India Urges Pakistan to Expedite Release of Indian Prisoners in Custody