Low-cost carriers join hands to battle fog in Delhi, Kolkata

To tide over the disruptions caused by heavy fog during the winter season, low-cost carriers are considering coming to each other's aid.

According to industry sources, Air Deccan, Go Air, SpiceJet and Indigo Airlines are working on a strategy to accommodate each other’s passengers in case of flight delays or cancellations at Delhi and Kolkata airports. The revenue settlements among the airlines on such accommodation will be made at the end of the month. This year, the fog is expected to have a longer stint in the country and will be spread over two months, covering the entire peak traffic season between December 15 and January 24. SpiceJet director Ajay Singh said, “We have reached no formal agreement, but this is something we have been attempting to do. The idea is to minimise passenger inconvenience. But we are yet looking for a structured way of doing it.”

On December 23 last year, one of the days that recorded maximum fog in the capital, at least 30 domestic and international flights were delayed or cancelled, while four international flights were diverted to other cities. Though the operators will be required to comply with the CAT III A to operate aircraft in low visibility during fog, the pilots, who have received CAT III training but have not yet operated in such low-visibility conditions will be allowed to operate during the season. As per the directorate general of Civil Aviation regulations, operators are required to operate under CAT I for one year and within the next six months provide CAT II training to the pilots, who have successfully operated under CAT I. Only then the pilots can progress to CAT III.

Since, many airlines like Kingfisher, SpiceJet, GoAir started operations only in 2005, many of their pilots have not yet received CAT III training. The new airlines, which are not yet CAT III compliant, would be advised to change their schedules to be able to operate safely and efficiently in CAT II category and the passengers are not affected by undue delays leading to chaos at the airport, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said. “Airlines will have to take care that they are CAT III compliant. However, we are not imposing any monopoly through restricting the newer carriers from operating if they are not yet CAT III compliant. But then the industry is driven by consumers and airlines will have to market themselves as reliable and safe,” the minister said. “Even at CAT III-C, which allows operation even in zero visibility there will be delays as inevitably with low visibility, a greater distance has to be maintained between two aircraft. Things are sometimes beyond your control. We can only reduce the delays through pre-planning and passenger awareness,” a senior pilot of a low cost carrier informed.

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