BackDon’t plan flights during zero visibility, fly CAT III aircraft in fog, DGCA tells airlines
The aviation regulator has also directed the airlines to reschedule non-CAT III aircraft between 10am and 8pm
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New Delhi: A day after 362 flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport due to weather and other issues, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday directed domestic airlines to adhere to its advisory on operating aircraft in low visibility, making it clear that no flights be planned during zero visibility and only CAT III aircraft be scheduled in fog.
The aviation regulator has also directed the airlines to reschedule non-CAT III aircraft between 10am and 8pm. While the regulator observed that 38 flights including 24 departures were also cancelled and three flights diverted during the low visibility period at IGIA on Wednesday, the Delhi Airport put out Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) in its statement said only 24 flights were delayed because of weather and 34 cancelled during low visibility period due to “other reasons".
It had also said that no flight was cancelled during the low visibility period on Wednesday. In a communication to all airline heads and Delhi Airport authorities, the DGCA said, “Once again all are directed to obey (its) instructions in letter and spirit. As per the communication, DGCA has asked the airlines to “closely monitor and plan the flights as per weather forecast with proper coordination with dedicated teams of Indian Meteorological Department, DIAL, DGCA and Airport Authority of India (AAI).
“In case of low visibility/fog forecast exists, flights not to be planned for Delhi during zero visibility conditions and flights may be scheduled from point of origin. Besides, only CAT III aircraft to be scheduled during fog period along with CAT III qualified flight crew including the co-pilot as per visibility/ runway visual range (RVR)," the DGCA said.
The DGCA has also directed the airlines to reschedule non CAT III aircraft between 10am to 8pm. Observing that at no stage of the low visibility procedures (LVP), RVR on both the runways had gone below 125 meter on Wednesday, the DGCA said, “During the LVP period, there were three diversions one each of Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet. Further there had been 38 cancellations (24 departures and 14 arrivals) and 362 delays with 179 departures and 183 arrivals."
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