Govt asks airlines to have qualified crew, realistic flight schedules for fog season

The civil aviation ministry has asked airlines to keep passengers informed about flight delays, cancellations and rescheduled departures during the upcoming winter fog season, which is expected to run from December 15 to February 15, 2027.

The ministry held its first fog preparedness meeting on Tuesday, October 27, to review operational readiness and coordination among airlines, airports and other stakeholders, with a focus on minimising passenger inconvenience during low-visibility conditions.

Airlines were directed to ensure adequate availability of trained crew and aircraft compliant with low-visibility operating requirements, plan realistic flight schedules and take timely decisions on flight operations, according to an official statement.

“It was emphasised that passengers should receive timely updates through SMS, mobile applications and email regarding delays, cancellations and revised departure times, so that they don’t reach the airport without adequate information about their flights,” the statement said.

The meeting, chaired by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, was attended by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief Vir Vikram Yadav, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Puneet Kansal, and officials from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and India Meteorological Department (IMD), besides representatives of airlines and airports.

The Airports Authority of India and airport operators were directed to ensure the readiness of instrument landing systems and runway visual range equipment, as well as adequate terminal capacity and airside safety during low-visibility conditions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation was asked to strengthen regulatory oversight and verify aircraft and crew preparedness, while the India Meteorological Department was directed to provide reliable forecasts and timely weather updates.

The ministry also stressed the need for adequate staffing at check-in counters, airline helpdesks and customer care facilities, particularly during prolonged delays and cancellations.

The meeting also discussed measures to ensure safe and orderly passenger movement, including terminal re-entry and re-boarding wherever required.

The preparations come as India enters a period when dense fog can disrupt flight operations, particularly in northern parts of the country, including Delhi.