Lok Sabha Question No. 3188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Flight Delay due to Fog
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: MAJ. GEN. (RETD) BHUWAN CHANDRA KHANDURI AVSM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3188 (To be answered on the 17 th  December 2015)

## FLIGHT DELAY DUE TO FOG

3188. MAJ. GEN B.C. KHANDURI AVSM (RETD): SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether during winters, many domestic and international flights to and from Delhi get cancelled/delayed/diverted due to fog;
- (b)  if  so,  the  total  number  of  flights  cancelled/delayed/diverted  as percentage of total scheduled flights in the month of December and January during the last three years and the current year, till date yearwise;
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  take  proper  care  of  the passengers  during  such  delays  etc.  and  ensure  minimal
- cancellation/delays/diversion  of  flights  during  winter  due  to  fog;
- (d) whether any studies have been conducted in this regard; and
- (e)  If  so,  the  details  and  the  outcome  thereof  along  with  the  steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) to (b)  Fog has significant impact on the conduct of flying operations particularly during landing and take-off.  As per the data maintained by DGCA, total number of flights cancelled/diverted as percentage of total flights for the month December and January for 2014-15 are as follows:

No. of Cancellations        % of total scheduled flights

42                                      0.48 No. of Diversions              % of total scheduled flights 59                                       0.68

For previous years' total cancellations/diversions is as follows:

Year         No. of Cancellations        No of Diversions 2011-12                  85                                   57 2012-13                  78                                   89 2013-14                  197                                 143

(c) to (e) A Technical Committee set up by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 09.01.2014 has studied low visibility operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi and has  recommended measures to mitigate the problem. Based on the recommendations of the Committee,  following  decisions  have  been  taken  by    DGCA  for compliance  by  airlines:

1.  All airlines to ensure that aircraft deployed to/from Delhi during low visibility conditions are CAT III complaint and both the commander and co-pilot are also CAT III trained.
2. Only CAT III flight crew to operate the flights to/from Delhi in case weather  predictions  of  CAT  III  conditions  are  made  by  Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). Failing to do so, such operations of the defaulting airline will be stopped to/from Delhi during low visibility conditions.
3. Airlines must take adequate care of providing basic amenities of water and refreshment to passengers during such conditions if the flights are delayed.
4. All stakeholders should have better communication procedure so that level of interaction with passengers increases during the fog and they are aware of flight delays.
5. One representative each from DGCA and IMD will be positioned at Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), IGI airport who will interact with airlines, Airport Authority of India (AAI) and IGI Airport. IGI airport will organize conference on daily basis wherein fog forecast for the day and next day will be provided by IMD.

Further, in order to minimize the inconvenience to traveling passengers and to ensure safety of operations during Low Visibility period, DGCA has issued instructions to all scheduled domestic airlines as well as airport operators for immediate compliance.

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