In a bid to alleviate the mounting chaos at major airports across the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday (January 16) announced a strategic plan aimed at addressing delays and minimising passenger inconvenience.
The multifaceted approach includes the establishment of 'War Rooms' at six key metro airports, an immediate ramp-up of CISF personnel, and the implementation of stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Taking to X (Formerly Twitter), Scindia emphasised the urgency of the situation, particularly in light of fog-induced disruptions that have been plaguing air travel in recent days.
The minister highlighted the issuance of SOPs to all airlines, specifically targeting the mitigation of passenger inconvenience during unforeseen circumstances.
Key components of the plan include:
Incidence reporting: Airlines operating at the six metro airports will now be required to submit incident reports thrice daily, providing a real-time overview of challenges faced by both passengers and airline staff. Monitoring and reporting: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directives, SOPs, and CARs (Civil Aviation Requirements) will undergo rigorous monitoring and regular reporting to ensure compliance across the aviation sector.
'War Rooms' implementation: Specialised 'War Rooms' will be set up by both airports and airline operators at the six designated metro airports. These facilities will serve as command centres to swiftly address and resolve any issues related to passenger inconvenience.
Runway upgrades: Runway 29L at Delhi Airport has been upgraded to CAT III operational status, enhancing the airport's capacity to handle flights during adverse weather conditions.
Future runway projects: Plans for the operationalisation of Runway 10/28 as CAT III at Delhi Airport are underway after a scheduled re-carpeting project.
