Airlines to inform passengers about changes in flight status

If your flight gets delayed due to fog then expect to be informed in advance by the airline concerned because the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed all airlines flying out of Delhi to inform passengers about delays/rescheduling/cancellation of flights in advance through SMS, e-mail or phone from December 10 to February 10, the anticipated season of fog in the Capital.

The DGCA also asked the airlines to ensure that passengers are provided basic amenities along with provision of food at alternative airports in case flights get diverted. Besides, they have also been directed to depute a senior officer at Indira Gandhi International Airport during the fog period for passenger facilitation.

These decisions were taken during a meeting to review fog preparedness at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and other North Indian airports.

To avoid inconvenience to passengers, the DGCA asked for better coordination among all the stakeholders like the Airports Authority of India (AAI), scheduled domestic airlines, foreign airlines, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Indian Meteorological Department and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

As per the new instructions, the airports and the airlines will have to ensure that the meteorological information for passengers should be displayed on the Flight Information Display System which should also be updated every 15 minutes. Weather information on IGI Airport should also be displayed on prominent news channels.

The DGCA has also said that after the fog situation improves, priority should be given to diverted flights.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/airlines-to-inform-passengers-about-changes-in-flight-status/article4079511.ece