Air India, SpiceJet get notices over Non-CAT III compliant pilots

08 Jan 2024 CW Team

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show cause notice to both Air India and SpiceJet regarding the rostering of non-CAT III compliant pilots. The issuance of the notice followed the diversion of over 50 flights bound for Delhi airport due to low visibility on December 24-25 and December 27-28, as reported by the DGCA.

A senior official from the DGCA confirmed that the notice was prompted by the discovery that a significant number of flight diversions at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were attributed to the deployment of pilots not compliant with CAT III standards. These pilots lacked the necessary training to operate flights during conditions of low visibility, such as fog.

The official mentioned that the airlines in question have been given a fifteen-day period to respond to the notice. CAT III, referring to a type of Instrument Landing System enabling landings in adverse weather like fog, snow, and rain, was highlighted as a crucial aspect in ensuring safe operations during challenging weather conditions. The civil aviation ministry is actively monitoring the fog situation on a daily basis.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, in a recent statement, emphasised the ministry's coordination with airports and airlines to address the fog-related challenges. Describing the fog issue as a "transitory phenomenon," Minister Scindia acknowledged the unprecedented density of fog this year. Dense fog and low visibility have affected the northern and northeastern parts of the country amid harsh winter conditions.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a maximum temperature of around 15 degrees in the national capital, with an expected decrease in fog conditions over the next two days. However, the IMD also anticipates the persistence of a cold wave in Delhi and the National Capital Region for the next 2-3 days.

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