Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s plan to tackle fog-related flight disruptions, set up ‘War Rooms’ and more

India’s Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has revealed a comprehensive six-point action plan aimed at addressing the significant disruptions caused by fog during domestic and international flights. These disruptions have led to widespread delays and cancellations, impacting hundreds of passengers.

In a detailed post on X, Scindia outlined the key components of the plan, focusing on mitigating passenger inconvenience and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Six-Point Action Plan:

1. Setting up ‘War Rooms’: Airports and airline operators across all six metros will establish dedicated ‘war rooms’ to promptly address any issues related to passenger inconvenience.

2. Enhanced CISF Manpower: Scindia assured round-the-clock deployment of sufficient Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to ensure the security and smooth functioning of airports.

3. Implementation of DGCA Directives: Strict adherence to the directives issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be monitored to maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs).

4. Daily Reports: The center will receive daily reports from all six metro airports, along with updates on the implementation of DGCA directives, providing insights into the ongoing situation.

5. Operational Readiness at Delhi Airport: Runway 29L at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has been made CAT III operational, enabling it to handle take-offs and departures even in dense fog scenarios. Runway 10/28, also with CAT III status, is slated to become operational soon.

6. Communication Improvement: SOPs aimed at enhancing communication and passenger facilitation will be issued to all airlines, aiming to improve overall responsiveness during challenging weather conditions.

7. Response to recent Chaos:

Scindia addressed recent passenger fury, particularly directed at airlines like IndiGo and Air India, due to poor communications and scheduling delays attributed to adverse weather conditions. He acknowledged the unprecedented fog in Delhi, leading to visibility dropping to zero, and appealed for patience as the ministry actively addresses the ongoing issues.

8. Strict stance against violence:

Highlighting the recent incident where a passenger assaulted a captain on a Delhi-Goa IndiGo flight after a 10-hour delay, Scindia condemned such acts as ‘unacceptable’. He emphasized the paramount importance of passenger safety and hinted at potential inclusion of the passenger responsible in the ‘no-fly list.’

The six-point action plan outlined by Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reflects a proactive approach to address the challenges posed by fog-related disruptions in the aviation sector. With a focus on communication improvement, operational readiness, and strict adherence to safety protocols, the plan aims to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure a more seamless travel experience during adverse weather conditions.