Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Advisory to Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. D K Aruna

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2002 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  31st July 2025 )

## ADVISORY TO AIRLINES

2002.    SMT D K ARUNA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to airlines regarding proper communication and in-flight catering services to passengers in view of international flights having longer flying times  due  to  the  closure  of  airspace  by  neighbouring  country  for  Indian flights and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  DGCA's  advisory  focuses  on  five  main  areas  -  pre-flight passenger communication, in-flight catering and comfort, medical preparedness and alternative aerodromes, customer service and support readiness  and  intra-departmental  coordination  and  also  mandates  that passengers  be  proactively  informed  about  changes  in  routing,  revised travel time and potential technical stops at intermediate airports; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  response  received  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  to  (c):  The  Directorate  General  of  Civil  Aviation  (DGCA)  issued  an advisory to all airlines on 26th April 2025 regarding "Advisory Guidelines Passenger  Handling  Measures  in  View  of  Airspace  Restrictions".  The details are at Annexure.

Airline operators have confirmed compliance with the said advisory.

******

## ADVISORY TO AIRLINES

Passenger  Handling  Measures  in  View  of  Airspace  Restrictions  Resulting in Extended Flight Durations and Technical Stops.

Due to recent developments involving international airspace closures and overflight restrictions, airline operations have been impacted by:

-  Significant rerouting of international and regional flights
-  Increased block times compared to scheduled durations
-  Possibility of technical halts enroute for operational or fuel requirements

In  light  of  the  above,  all  airline  operators  are  directed  to  implement  the  following passenger-handling measures to ensure transparency, compliance, and passenger welfare:

## 1. Pre-Flight Passenger Communication

Airlines shall ensure that all passengers are proactively informed about:

-  The change in routing due to airspace restrictions
-  Revised total expected travel time (departure to arrival)
-  The possibility of a technical stop at an intermediate airport
- Clarify that the stop is operational in nature
- -Passengers will generally remain onboard during such stops

This  information  must  be  communicated  at  check-in,  boarding  gates,  and  where feasible, through SMS/email alerts.

## 2. In-Flight Catering and Comfort

Airlines  must ensure that catering uplift is revised based on actual expected block time (including technical halt). This includes:

-  Adequate meals and beverages for the full duration
-  Additional hydration and dry snacks
-  Special meals as per manifest requests

## 3. Medical Preparedness and Alternate Aerodromes

## Operators shall:

-  Ensure medical kits and first-aid resources onboard are sufficient for extended operations
-  Validate that alternate/technical halt airports have:
- -Emergency medical support
- -Ground ambulance availability if required

## ANNEXURE

-  Brief  cabin  crew  on  managing  passenger  fatigue,  discomfort,  or  medical incidents

## 4. Customer Service and Support Readiness

Airlines shall:

-  Brief call center/reservations teams on likely delays and schedule disruptions assistance
-  Establish  processes  for  managing  missed  onward  connections  and  delayrelated
-  Prepare for compensatory action in case of delays beyond thresholds (as per

CAR provisions)

## 5. Intra-Departmental Coordination

Operators must ensure seamless coordination between:

-  Flight Dispatch / IOCC
-  Commercial and Customer Support teams
-  Ground handling and airport operations
-  Inflight service providers
-  Medical vendors at designated alternates

## Compliance and Monitoring

All operators are advised to treat this circular as mandatory guidance in the interest of passenger  safety, comfort,  and  regulatory  compliance.  Non-compliance  or passenger inconvenience resulting from failure  to  implement  these  measures may attract appropriate enforcement action under applicable CARS.

This circular comes into effect immediately and shall remain valid until further notice.

Chief Flight Operations Inspector Flight Standards Directorate Directorate General of Civil Aviaition