In response to a surge in complaints related to flight delays and cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Monday. These guidelines explicitly state that airlines are permitted to cancel flights, with sufficient prior notice, if they are expected to be delayed beyond a period of 3 hours due to prevailing adverse weather conditions.
The aviation regulatory body, DGCA, additionally emphasized the importance of safeguarding air travelers, particularly in cases involving denied boardings, flight cancellations, and unforeseen delays without prior notification. An official release by the DGCA outlined the facilities that airlines should provide to passengers in such circumstances.
As part of the newly introduced guidelines, airlines are now mandated to include references to the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) on flight tickets. This requirement compels all airlines to strictly adhere to the provisions outlined in the CAR, with the reference visibly displayed on flight tickets. However, exemptions to CAR provisions may be applicable in cases of Force Majeure events, indicating extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.
The issuance of these SOPs by DGCA is a direct response to recent disruptions caused by fog and adverse weather conditions, particularly at airports like Delhi Airport, resulting in significant flight delays, cancellations, and subsequent passenger inconveniences.
Key SOPs announced by the aviation regulatory body include:
1. Real-time information publication: Airlines are obligated to publish accurate and real-time information about flight delays through various channels, including official websites, advance notifications to affected passengers via SMS/WhatsApp and email, and updated displays at airports.
2. Staff sensitization: Airline staff at airports must undergo appropriate sensitization to effectively communicate, guide, and continuously inform passengers about flight delays.
3. Cancellation policies: Airlines are encouraged to proactively cancel flights well in advance, which are anticipated to be delayed or consequently delayed due to prevailing adverse weather conditions beyond a period of 3 hours. This measure aims to prevent congestion at airports and minimize passenger inconvenience.
Amidst these guidelines, incidents of passengers expressing frustration due to extensive delays, cancellations, and diversions, particularly caused by bad weather and low visibility, have come to light. The recent arrest of a passenger who assaulted a co-pilot on an IndiGo flight and passengers having dinner on the runway after a lengthy delay and diversion underscores the challenges faced by both airlines and travelers during adverse weather conditions.
