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EARLY MORNING BLUES: Children travel by a rickshaw to school on a cold and foggy morning in Amritsar on Thursday.
With 362 flights delayed at the Delhi airport due to bad weather, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday made it clear to airlines that no flights should be planned during zero visibility and only CAT III aircraft be scheduled in fog.
The DGCA said the airlines should strictly adhere to its advisory on operating aircraft in low visibility. It also wants the airlines to reschedule non-CAT III aircraft between 10 am and 8 pm.
The regulator’s directions came a day after 362 flights were delayed on Wednesday, besides the cancellation of 38 flights and diversion of three others during the low-visibility period.
In a letter to all airlines and Delhi airport officials, the DGCA said, “Once again, all are directed to obey (its) instructions in letter and spirit. The airlines should closely monitor and plan the flights as per weather forecast with proper coordination with dedicated teams of India Meteorological Department, Delhi International Airport Ltd, DGCA and Airports Authority of India”.
“In case of low visibility/fog forecast exists, flights should not to be planned for Delhi during zero visibility conditions and flights may be scheduled from point of origin. Besides, only CAT III aircraft must be scheduled during the fog period along with CAT III-qualified flight crew, including the co-pilot, as per the visibility/runway visual range,” the DGCA said.
Prior information should be given to passengers regarding change of flights or schedule, it said, adding that in case of flight delays, passengers should be taken care of according to the provisions of the civil aviation requirements.
The DGCA said the airlines should strictly adhere to its advisory on operating aircraft in low visibility. It also wants the airlines to reschedule non-CAT III aircraft between 10 am and 8 pm.
The regulator’s directions came a day after 362 flights were delayed on Wednesday, besides the cancellation of 38 flights and diversion of three others during the low-visibility period.
In a letter to all airlines and Delhi airport officials, the DGCA said, “Once again, all are directed to obey (its) instructions in letter and spirit. The airlines should closely monitor and plan the flights as per weather forecast with proper coordination with dedicated teams of India Meteorological Department, Delhi International Airport Ltd, DGCA and Airports Authority of India”.
“In case of low visibility/fog forecast exists, flights should not to be planned for Delhi during zero visibility conditions and flights may be scheduled from point of origin. Besides, only CAT III aircraft must be scheduled during the fog period along with CAT III-qualified flight crew, including the co-pilot, as per the visibility/runway visual range,” the DGCA said.
Prior information should be given to passengers regarding change of flights or schedule, it said, adding that in case of flight delays, passengers should be taken care of according to the provisions of the civil aviation requirements.
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