Aviation regulator DGCA has issued a stern warning to airlines that they would be stopped from operating in and out of Delhi during foggy season if they do not deploy pilots trained to fly under such conditions.
Insisting on deployment of pilots trained in Category-III Instrument Landing System (CAT-III ILS), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has made it clear that only trained crew would be allowed to operate flights in and out of the national capital in case CAT-III weather predictions are made by the MeT department, official sources said.
"Failing to do so, such operations of defaulting airlines will be stopped to and from Delhi during low visibility conditions," a source said, adding it was the responsibility of the airlines to get the latest weather updates and ensure that CAT-III trained cockpit crew are deployed.
At a recent meeting of all stakeholders, including airlines and airport operators, chaired by DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar, it was decided to set up a technical committee headed by DGCA Joint Director General Lalit Gupta to examine and recommend steps to make Delhi airport "zero diversionary" by the year-end.
The 10-member panel, which has been asked to submit its report by March 31, would also prepare a manual to deal with low visibility operations, containing dos and don'ts for all stakeholders.
It would take cognisance of global practices in such situations, including the issue of evacuating passengers back to the departure lounge in case an aircraft gets stranded due to low visibility conditions, the sources said.
