Aviation Minister urges airlines to prioritise passenger communication

21 Nov 2024 CW Team

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu convened a review meeting to assess fog preparedness for the upcoming winter season and directed airlines to enhance passenger communication regarding flight delays. He also emphasised the need to fully staff check-in counters and adhere to guidelines allowing passengers to exit aircraft through departure gates during extended delays. "The preparations for managing visibility-related challenges this winter are progressing well, with significant bottlenecks addressed," stated the Civil Aviation Ministry. The meeting included Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam, officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi airport operator DIAL, and airline representatives. Airlines have been instructed to promptly inform passengers about delays or cancellations due to low visibility and ensure accurate passenger contact details are recorded during ticket booking. If a delay exceeds three hours, flights must be cancelled, as per DGCA regulations. Recent bad weather in Delhi resulted in at least 15 flight diversions and over 100 delays. To address such challenges, airlines confirmed compliance with DGCA's guidelines, deploying CAT II/III compliant aircraft and pilots for low-visibility operations at Delhi and other fog-prone airports. Delhi Airport, India’s busiest has three runways equipped with CAT III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) for operations in low-visibility conditions. Additional measures, including the deployment of "Follow Me" vehicles to guide aircraft and installation of LED screens displaying real-time visibility updates, have been recommended for enhanced passenger convenience. The BCAS also issued a circular to ensure smooth re-entry of passengers stranded on aircraft due to weather or technical delays, with drills being conducted to streamline the process. Minister Naidu stressed the importance of a passenger-centric approach, urging real-time coordination among airlines, ground handlers, airport operators, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) to minimise disruptions and ensure seamless operations during the fog season. (ET)

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu convened a review meeting to assess fog preparedness for the upcoming winter season and directed airlines to enhance passenger communication regarding flight delays. He also emphasised the need to fully staff check-in counters and adhere to guidelines allowing passengers to exit aircraft through departure gates during extended delays. The preparations for managing visibility-related challenges this winter are progressing well, with significant bottlenecks addressed, stated the Civil Aviation Ministry. The meeting included Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam, officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi airport operator DIAL, and airline representatives. Airlines have been instructed to promptly inform passengers about delays or cancellations due to low visibility and ensure accurate passenger contact details are recorded during ticket booking. If a delay exceeds three hours, flights must be cancelled, as per DGCA regulations. Recent bad weather in Delhi resulted in at least 15 flight diversions and over 100 delays. To address such challenges, airlines confirmed compliance with DGCA's guidelines, deploying CAT II/III compliant aircraft and pilots for low-visibility operations at Delhi and other fog-prone airports. Delhi Airport, India’s busiest has three runways equipped with CAT III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) for operations in low-visibility conditions. Additional measures, including the deployment of Follow Me vehicles to guide aircraft and installation of LED screens displaying real-time visibility updates, have been recommended for enhanced passenger convenience. The BCAS also issued a circular to ensure smooth re-entry of passengers stranded on aircraft due to weather or technical delays, with drills being conducted to streamline the process. Minister Naidu stressed the importance of a passenger-centric approach, urging real-time coordination among airlines, ground handlers, airport operators, and Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) to minimise disruptions and ensure seamless operations during the fog season. (ET)

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

Pecan Realty Completes Rs 1.5 Billion Transactions

Pecan Realty has recently completed four institutional transactions worth over Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years, strengthening its position as an execution-led real estate platform. The deals include resolution-led acquisitions, structured finance transactions and capital partnerships across its development portfolio.The transactions covered acquisitions through the National Company Law Tribunal process and helped provide repayment or exits to both private and public sector lenders. The company said the deals demonstrate its ability to resolve complex project situations, work with instit..

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..