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.

Technology

28 Oct 2025

Building Faster, Smarter, and Greener!

Backed by ULCCS’s century-old legacy, U-Sphere combines technology, modular design and sustainable practices to deliver faster and more efficient projects. In an interaction with CW, Rohit Prabhakar, Director - Business Development, shares how the company’s integrated model of ‘Speed-Build’, ‘Smart-Build’ and ‘Sustain-Build’ is redefining construction efficiency, quality and environmental responsibility in India.U-Sphere positions itself at the intersection of speed, sustainability and smart design. How does this translate into measurable efficiency on the ground?At U..

Smart Roads, Smarter India

India’s infrastructure boom is not only about laying more kilometres of highways – it’s about building them smarter, safer and more sustainably. From drones mapping fragile Himalayan slopes to 3D machine-controlled graders reducing human error, technology is steadily reshaping the way projects are planned and executed. Yet, the journey towards digitisation remains complex, demanding not just capital but also coordination, training and vision.Until recently, engineers largely depended on Survey of India toposheets and traditional survey methods like total stations or DGPS to prepare detai..

What Does DCPR 2034 Mean?

The Maharashtra government has eased approval norms for high-rise buildings under DCPR 2034, enabling the municipal commissioner to sanction projects up to 180 m on large plots. This change is expected to streamline approvals, reduce procedural delays and accelerate redevelopment, drawing reactions from developers, planners and industry experts about its implications for Mumbai’s vertical growth.Under the revised DCPR 2034 rules, buildings on plots of 2,000 sq m or more can now be approved up to 180 m by the municipal commissioner, provided structural and geotechnical reports are certified b..