DGCA's new rules leave passengers confused

New Delhi: A day after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) came out with new rules to reduce inconvenience caused to passengers due to fog, there was a reduction in the number of delays and cancellations. However many passengers complained about the lack of information, with many landing up at the airport as they weren't able to get the required information.

With heavy fog setting in on Christmas Day, Civil Aviation Ministry introduced a new set of rules to reduce last minute operations. According to the new rules, only CAT 3b compliant aircraft which can fly in low visibility will be allowed to operate until 10 am. The rest were asked to reschedule flights. Information was promised to passengers.

But on the ground little changed. On a foggy Monday, passengers struggled to reach the airline helpline. Passengers complained of no one answering at the call center and the flight numbers not appearing on the website.

Many passengers who arrived at the airport only to discover delays and cancellations blamed the airlines for not informing them on time. Airport operator GMR claims their flight information is updated regularly, though passengers contradict that.

The Met department has a simpler solution. Director-in-Charge, Met Office, IGI airport, RK Jenamani said, "If the Runway Visual Range is below 50, don't come to the airport. Nobody will help."

Before the weather Gods there is little that technology can do. Most airlines have trained their pilots and upgraded their aircraft for low visibility operations. But, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told that when visibility drops to below 50 metres, even CAT 3 systems don't work.

The new rules brought in by the DGCA have definitely reduced cancellations and delays but the Met department says that the passengers must prepare themselves for the weeks ahead as these foggy conditions are likely to continue till the end of January next year.

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