'Cancel flights likely to be delayed by over three hours': DGCA's new SOP to airlines after fog wreaks havoc on flight schedules

NEW DELHI: Airlines will now have to cancel flights “sufficiently in advance” that are expected to be delayed by over three hours. And they are also required to inform in real time the flight status, along with expected departure time, to passengers to avoid overcrowding at airports.

Following instructions from Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued new protocol for airlines after two days of sheer havoc that fog has played with flight schedules, forcing thousands to remain holed up inside planes, airports and even tarmac for hours.

Scindia has also directed Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) to without any further delay operationalize IGIA’s CAT IIIB runway, 28/10 that has been closed for repairs since last September.



Warning passengers against indulging in unruly behaviour — after a passenger of a hugely delayed flight assaulted an IndiGo co-pilot – he assured “everyone that all stakeholders are working round the clock to minimise fog-related impact” and directed DGCA to step in.

The regulator hours later wrote to airlines, mandating a new standard operating procedure (SOP): “DGCA has (rules regarding) ‘facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation and delays in flights’… to ensure appropriate protection for air travelers in case of flight disruptions… It is obligatory on the part of all airlines to mandatorily adhere to (these). However, in case of force majeure events -- extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the airline – (these) provisions are not applicable.”

Airlines shall be required to publish accurate real-time information regarding delays of their flights (on) their website; through advance information to affected passengers by SMS/ WhatsApp and email; display of updated information regarding flight delays to passengers waiting at airports, the new SOP mandates.

“In view of the prevalent fog season and adverse weather conditions, airlines may cancel, sufficiently in advance, such flights that are anticipated to be delayed or consequentially delayed on account of such conditions beyond a period of three hours with a view to obviate congestion at the airport and mitigate passenger inconvenience. All airlines shall mandatorily adhere to the above SOP with immediate effect,” the DGCA says.

This was issued hours after Scindia took cognisance of air travellers’ harrowing experience in past two to three days. “Yesterday (Jan 14), Delhi witnessed unprecedented fog wherein visibility fluctuated for several hours, and at times, dropped to zero between 5 am and 9 am. The authorities were compelled to enforce a shut-down of operations for some time even on CAT III runways (CAT III runways cannot handle Zero-Visibility operations). The decision was taken keeping passenger safety in mind, which remains the foremost priority for all in the aviation ecosystem,” Scindia said on X (former Twitter) Monday.

“However, to mitigate the situation in the near future… Delhi Airport has been asked to immediately expedite the operationalization of the CAT III-enabled fourth runway (in addition to the existing CAT III-enabled runway) to the satisfaction of the DGCA, in order to get approvals. DGCA will issue an SOP for airlines on better communication and facilitation of passengers to minimise discomfort in view of flight cancellations & delays due to adverse weather,” Scindia said.

“It is my earnest request to all travellers to bear with us during this difficult period. All stakeholders are trying their best to minimize passenger inconvenience. Incidences of unruly behaviour amidst this are unacceptable, and will be dealt with strongly in line with the existing legal provisions,” Scindia added.