Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded to the recent chaos at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport, where dense fog led to severe flight delays, assuring passengers of measures to mitigate future disruptions.
In a statement posted on X, Minister Scindia acknowledged the previous day’s exceptional fog conditions, with visibility varying and, at times, dipping to zero between 5 and 9 a.m. He highlighted that the decision to temporarily stop down operations, including on CAT III runways, was made with passenger safety in mind.
To address the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, Minister Scindia outlined the following steps and plans:
- Operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway: Delhi Airport has been directed to expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled 4th runway, complementing the existing CAT III runway. The aim is to meet the approval standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- Issuance of SOP for Airlines: The DGCA will soon release a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at improving communication and passenger facilitation for airlines. This measure aims to minimize passenger discomfort caused by flight cancellations and delays attributed to adverse weather conditions.
Minister Scindia made an earnest request to travelers, urging them to bear with the authorities during this challenging period. He emphasized that all stakeholders are working tirelessly to minimize passenger inconvenience. Addressing incidents of unruly behavior, he warned that such actions would be dealt with strongly in line with existing legal provisions.
“I would like to assure everyone that all stakeholders are working round the clock to minimize the fog-related impact,” he concluded.
The chaotic scenes at Delhi’s airport on Sunday, with stranded passengers and delayed flights, prompted this comprehensive response from the Union Aviation Minister, aiming to improve future preparedness and communication during adverse weather conditions.