Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Disha Sharma
The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India has instructed airlines to fully adhere to passenger assistance protocols as persistent dense fog and poor visibility continue to affect flight schedules nationwide.
In recent days, hundreds of flights have faced delays and numerous cancellations due to low visibility at major airports, including New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of India’s busiest and most important aviation hubs.
In an official notice, the ministry emphasized that airlines must strictly follow passenger service guidelines during foggy and low-visibility periods. Carriers were instructed to provide passengers with prompt and accurate updates on flight timings, offer meals and refreshments during prolonged delays, and assist with rebooking or refunds if flights are cancelled. The notice also highlighted that passengers who have checked in on time must not be denied boarding.
The memorandum stated that “when flights are affected by severe weather despite all reasonable efforts, airlines must clearly communicate to passengers the cause of the disruption and the steps being taken to manage the situation.”
“Appropriate passenger entitlements (refreshments, rescheduling, etc.) shall be extended,” it added.
The ministry further directed airlines to maintain sufficient staff and ensure full operational preparedness at airports, especially at passenger assistance counters, during fog-prone periods like early mornings and late evenings.
The memorandum stated that for flights rerouted because of weather conditions, airlines are required to provide necessary support at the alternate airport, including meals and refreshments, as well as ensure the timely onward travel of passengers.
“Clear communication regarding connecting flights, baggage handling and care of unaccompanied minors shall be ensured,” it added.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated, “Given the ongoing fog and low-visibility conditions affecting flight operations, airlines have been instructed to fully adhere to passenger service guidelines to ensure both passenger safety and convenience.”
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This includes:
- Timely and accurate flight information
- Meals and refreshments for extended delays
- Rebooking or refunds in case of cancellations
- No denial of boarding after timely check-in
- Timely refunds, baggage facilitation and effective grievance redressal
North India routinely faces severe fog during winter months, often causing widespread disruptions to air, rail and road transport.