- By Shivam Shandilya
- Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday announced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for airports amid heavy fog in several states. In a post on X, Scindia pointed out an action plan to combat fog-induced disruptions to domestic and international commercial flight operations, which had led to the delay or cancellation of several flights over the past many days. Besides the SOPs, the Union Minister said that the centre had daily reports from all six metro airports, as well as reports into the implementation of Directorate General of Civil Aviation directives.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweets, "In view of the fog-induced disruptions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on mitigating passenger inconvenience were issued yesterday to all the airlines." pic.twitter.com/N3waf1cHQp
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2024
'War rooms' will be set up by airports and airline operators at all six metro airports to address any issues with regard to passenger inconvenience with immediacy," Civil aviation minister said, adding, "Sufficient CISF manpower availability will be ensured round-the-clock."
He added that Delhi airport's Runway 29L had been made CAT III operational, which will allow to handle take-offs and departures even during low-visibility scenarios. Scindia also said that Runway 10/28 - also with CAT III status - would be made operational as soon as re-carpeting is concluded.
On Tuesday, 0 flights departing from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport were delayed and 17 were cancelled due to weather conditions. The Delhi airport issued an advisory in this regard that stated, "Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information."
As per the MeT department, fog is considered to be 'shallow' when the visibility stands up to 500 metres. 'Moderate' fog occurs when the visibility remains up to 200 metres.
Earlier on Monday, visibility was recorded as 'zero for the first time this winter season in Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Patiala, Ambala, Chandigarh, Palam, Safdarjung (New Delhi), Bareilly, Lucknow, Bahraich, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Tezpur, as per the weather department.
(With input from agencies)
