Flight Disruptions Trigger DGCA Intervention: New Guidelines Address Fog-Related Chaos
Written by Sanjay Kumar
In response to the growing frustration among passengers due to extensive flight delays caused by foggy weather conditions, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued comprehensive guidelines for airlines. These guidelines, outlined in the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section-3, Series M Part IV, are aimed at addressing issues related to denied boarding, flight cancellations, and delays caused by adverse weather.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation
Statutory body
- Jurisdiction – Government of India
- Headquarters – Office of Director General Of Civil Aviation, opp. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi
- Minister responsible – Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation
- Deputy Ministers responsible – V.K. Singh
- Parent department – Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)
- Parent Regulator – Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)
One of the key directives from the DGCA requires airlines to publish the reference of the CAR on all flight tickets. Moreover, strict adherence to the provisions outlined in the CAR has been made mandatory for all airlines. The move is anticipated to enhance transparency and ensure that passengers are well-informed about their rights in case of flight disruptions.
To mitigate the inconvenience caused by fog-induced delays, the DGCA has instructed airlines to publish accurate real-time information regarding flight delays. Additionally, airline staff at airports have been directed to be appropriately sensitized to communicate patiently with passengers amidst fog-related disruptions.
A crucial aspect of the guidelines is the proactive cancellation of flights that are expected to be significantly delayed due to adverse weather conditions beyond a 3-hour period. This measure aims to prevent airport congestion and alleviate passenger inconvenience during the fog season.
DGCA issues SOPs to airlines regarding flight cancellations due to excessive delays during adverse weather conditions.
DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section-3, Series M Part IV “Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding,… pic.twitter.com/Yee0lBv42L
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2024
The release from the DGCA highlighted the necessity of these guidelines, citing persistent disruptions and adverse weather conditions at various airports, especially at Delhi airport, which have led to a surge in flight delays and cancellations, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers.
These guidelines come in the wake of a recent incident where an IndiGo pilot was assaulted by a passenger after announcing a delay of nearly 13 hours. The incident underscored the urgency of implementing measures to improve communication and passenger experience during such situations.
In light of these new guidelines, passengers can expect increased transparency, timely information, and better communication from airlines, ultimately minimizing the impact of adverse weather conditions on their travel experience.
