Identifying airlines'
alleged reluctance in deploying trained pilots during fog as a problem,
aviation regulator Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has
warned that carriers will be stopped from operating to and from Delhi
during the fog season.
The DGCA has insisted on
deployment of pilots trained in Category III Instrument Landing System
(CAT III ILS) and told the airlines that only trained crew would be
allowed to operate flights in and out of the capital in case CAT III
weather predictions are made by the met department.
Pilots trained in CATIII ILS can land planes even when the runway visibility range is as low as 75 metres.
Over 300 flights have
been cancelled due to fog in Delhi since December 17 last year,
including 119 flights on a single day late last week.
DGCA officials said if
the airlines are reluctant to do it, defaulting operators would be
stopped from operating flights to and from Delhi during low-visibility
conditions.
The central Industrial
Security Force, which provides security at airports, has told the
aviation regulator that airlines are “not informing passengers
adequately about flight delays” caused during the fog season, and this
is creating trouble at the Delhi airport in managing passengers, who
often get into arguments with airline staff.
The Airports Authority of
India has also been asked to open up more alternate airports where
flights could be diverted during dense fog conditions.
Taking into account
problems faced during the fog season, the DGCA has now set up a
committee to take steps to ensure that there are no diversions from
Delhi airport due to low visibility.
The technical committee,
headed by DGCA's Joint Director General Lalit Gupta, was set up after
DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar's meeting with representatives of airlines,
airport operators and other stakeholders two days ago. The 10-member
panel has been asked to make Delhi a "zero diversionary" airport without
compromising on safety of aircraft operations.
The committee has been asked to submit its report by March 31.
The DGCA has also decided
to set up a cell comprising its own officials and those of all Indian
carriers to deal with the fog situation.
http://www.deccanherald.com
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