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The Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation today reviewed the preparedness of airlines, airports and other concerned agencies for smooth operation of air services in the advent of fog in the coming winters at metro and other major airports of the country.
Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure maximum convenience of all air travelers. It was decided that a Coordination Committee shall monitor the startup clearances to manage and prioritize the movement of flights during fog.
DGCA guidelines shall be followed by all organizations at IGI airport to minimize delay in arrival/departure of scheduled flights. The Office of DGCA shall keep in readiness, a team of officers who will, on rotational basis, shall be available at the ATC for monitoring the flow of traffic during the fog period.
The Indian Meteorological Department shall be providing timely forecast of fog and the trend on the forecast regarding visibility shall be available on the internet site of the AAI and Airlines.
The AAI will coordinate with Customs and Immigration authorities for providing additional staff to handle delayed international flights and rush of passengers due to bunching of flights.
The ILS Cat IIIA landing system is operational IGI Airport. This will permit aircrafts to land even when Runway Visual Range (RVR) is 200 meters.
Diversionary airfields such as Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bangalore, Mumbai have been introduced to avoid congestion.
Indian Airlines will set up a Central Coordination Cell to monitor fog situation on all India basis and a system of Flight Information Dissemination through the Call Centre. Centralized call centers are operational at Delhi, Chennai and Bangalaore. From 15th December, 2004, SMS service is to be introduced on all India basis for giving information regarding delays, rescheduling, cancellation. The passengers are also being advised to pass on contact numbers, preferably mobile or land line of both origin and destination stations. The availability of "1407", the centralized call center number is being publicized through media, e-mails to agents, posters and pamphlets at IA locations. The airlines is tying-up with TV news channels for display of delayed flights information. Arrangements are also being made with AIR FM Channel for the broadcast of flight information. Elaborate training programmes are being made for pilots for training on CAT-III and CAT-II systems.
The caterers have been advised to be geared up for providing meals etc. on board the flights in time so as to avoid delays on this account. They have also been advised to make all arrangements at the airports itself to replenish catering supplies at the last minute, if so required. Provisions for snacks box service in security-holed area are being made in case of flight delays.
Transport arrangements have been made for quicker movement of passengers from terminal building to the hotels and back if needed. Arrangements have also been made with hoteliers for providing hotel accommodation and meals as the case may be. Pre-paid taxi arrangements are being made for passengers desirous of returning to their residence/office in the event of fog after they have arrived at the airport.
Air-India too has prepared a Contingency Plan for ensuring timely movement of flights during Winter Session. With effect from 23rd December 2004 to 4th February 2005, all Air-India long haul west-bound flights are being rescheduled to omit Delhi in both directions and operate directly to/from Mumbai. Passengers from Delhi will travel DEL/BOM/DEL on a domestic shuttle service operated by Air-India daily at 1130 hrs daily to catch the international connecting flight and will be given hotel accommodation in Mumbai if needed.
Private airlines too are undertaking various measures have been taken by them to manage operations during fog and to mitigate any inconvenience to passengers on similar lines.
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