If you frequently travel by flight, here’s some important news. The government has issued a new directive to airline companies, asking them to keep passengers informed if a flight is delayed, especially due to weather issues like fog.
If a flight is delayed by more than three hours, the airline may cancel the flight.
Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu recently held a meeting to review the preparations regarding fog and delays, urging airlines to make sure passengers are notified in time.
He also emphasized that all check-in counter staff should be available to assist passengers, reducing any inconvenience during travel.
Managing Visibility Challenges at Airports
The Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a press release saying that preparations to handle visibility issues caused by winter fog have been improved.
The government has worked on removing obstacles to ensure smoother flight operations.
The meeting was attended by key officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi Airport operator DIAL, and representatives from various airlines.
Flight Operations and Delays in Delhi
On Monday, Delhi saw significant disruptions due to poor visibility. At least 15 flights were diverted, and over 100 flights were delayed.
According to the press note, airlines have confirmed they will follow DGCA guidelines for handling such issues.
Delhi’s airport has three of its four runways equipped with CAT 3 Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), which help manage operations during low visibility.
Airlines have also been directed to communicate actively with passengers about possible delays or cancellations due to weather-related issues. If a flight is delayed for over three hours, it may be cancelled.
