Delhi Airport Fog Chaos: Scindia Vows Action, DGCA Steps In With SOPs for Airlines

Amidst significant flight disruptions caused by low-visibility conditions at the Delhi airport, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has assured passengers that all stakeholders are working tirelessly to minimize fog-related impact and passenger inconvenience. The minister also emphasized that unruly passenger behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with strictly as per existing legal provisions.

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DGCA Issues SOPs for Airlines

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to airlines, requiring them to publish accurate real-time information regarding flight delays and to adequately train airport staff to communicate effectively with passengers during fog-related disruptions.

CAT III-Enabled Runway Operationalization

To enhance flight operations during low-visibility conditions, the airport operator DIAL has been directed to expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled fourth runway. CAT III runways allow flight operations even in poor visibility conditions.

Passenger Discomfort and Unruly Behavior

On Sunday, flight operations at the Delhi airport were severely affected, resulting in flight diversions, cancellations, and delays. Many passengers took to social media to express their frustration and anguish over the long waiting hours. In one incident, a passenger assaulted an IndiGo pilot while he was announcing a flight delay.

Minister's Appeal for Patience

Minister Scindia appealed to passengers to bear with the challenging situation, emphasizing that all stakeholders are doing their utmost to minimize passenger inconvenience. He stressed that unruly behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly.

Airport Runway Status

Delhi airport currently has four runways, three of which are operational, including the CAT III-compliant RW 11L/29R. The CAT III-compliant RW 10/28 is undergoing maintenance. The airport handles approximately 1,300 flights daily.

Flight Diversions and SOPs

On Monday, five flights were diverted at the Delhi airport due to adverse weather conditions. The DGCA's SOPs advise airlines to cancel flights well in advance if they anticipate delays exceeding three hours due to weather conditions, to avoid airport congestion and passenger inconvenience.

Recent Fog-Related Disruptions

In recent weeks, dense fog and the absence of CAT III-compliant pilots have caused significant disruptions to flight operations at the Delhi airport. During December 25-28, 2022, nearly 60 flights were diverted due to dense fog, and in late December, the DGCA issued show cause notices to Air India and SpiceJet for not deploying pilots trained for low-visibility operations.

The Delhi airport fog disruption has highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, better communication, and passenger-centric measures to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions on flight operations. The aviation ministry and stakeholders are working together to address these challenges and ensure a smoother and safer travel experience for passengers.