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

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..