Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson has revealed plans to revamp the airline’s crew schedule to incorporate more buffers and increase the number of pilots trained to operate in low visibility conditions. This initiative aims to mitigate disruptions during the upcoming winter season.
The decision follows the recent chaos at Delhi, India’s largest airport, where thick fog and a non-operational runway led to flight delays and cancellations, prompting frustration among passengers.
During this winter season, the airline industry faced challenges as the closure of one of Delhi‘s low-visibility runways coincided with unusually severe fog conditions in Northern India. The disruption resulted in operational challenges for all airlines, impacting both staff and customers.
In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on both Air India and SpiceJet for not rostering pilots trained to fly in low visibility conditions ahead of the cold season.
CEO Campbell Wilson addressed employees in a message, acknowledging the ongoing fog challenges and the need for proactive measures.
He stated, “As fog will recur in future seasons and airport and airway congestion will only increase, our operations team is assessing how to better cope, such as by building a larger pool of CAT 3 crew, better roster planning and schedule buffers and, where necessary, more pre-emptive flight cancellations.”
CAT 3 crew, trained for landing in low visibility conditions with a visual range on the runway up to 50 meters, will be a key focus of Air India’s strategy. The delay in reopening Delhi Airport’s runway, originally scheduled for 15 December, has added to the challenges, with construction delays attributed to the G20 summit and pollution-related construction bans.
The disruptions on 14 January, with over 500 flights delayed, prompted Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to warn airline CEOs to enhance efficiency or face the risk of losing customers. He emphasised the government’s commitment to taking strict action against airlines that do not comply with regulations regarding passenger rights.
In addition to crew and schedule adjustments, Air India plans to implement FogCare, a set of preventative measures to minimise the impact of fog on flight operations. These measures include proactive communication with customers and providing options to reschedule or cancel impacted flights at no additional cost. Passengers facing disruptions are encouraged to make informed decisions, avoiding unnecessary inconveniences at the airport.
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