New Guidelines For Airlines: If you also travel by flight often, then this news is of use to you. In a recent order given by the government, airline companies have been told that if the flight is delayed due to fog or any other reason, then passengers should be informed about it on time.
Not only this, if the flight is delayed by more than three hours, it can be cancelled. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu held a review meeting with the concerned unit on preparations regarding fog. He asked the airline companies to inform the passengers about the flight delay as well as ensure that all the employees are present at the ‘check-in’ counter to help reduce any kind of trouble during the journey.
Visibility related challenges will have to be managed
In a press note issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry, it was said that ‘this time the preparations to manage the challenges related to visibility in winter have been done in the right direction and good progress has been made in removing the obstacles.’ The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmung Vualnam, senior officials of the ministry, DGCA, BCAS, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi Airport operating agency Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and representatives of airline companies, among others.
15 flights were diverted due to visibility issue.
Recently on Monday, at least 15 flights had to be diverted and more than 100 flights were delayed due to poor visibility in the capital Delhi. According to the press note, airlines have confirmed that they will follow DGCA guidelines regarding deployment of flights and pilots as per CAT 2:3 for Delhi and other airports. Out of the four runways of Delhi airport, three have CAT 3 ILS which will facilitate flight operations in low visibility levels.
Staff should be present at all check-in counters
Delhi airport is the busiest airport in the country. The press note said that airline companies have been ordered to ‘actively communicate with passengers about possible delays or flight cancellations due to visibility problems. If the delay is more than three hours, the flight will have to be cancelled.’ The minister said that airline companies should ensure that staff is present at all check-in counters of the airport to reduce the inconvenience of passengers.
