-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | | | |The Riviera Opposite Hotel Mandovi, Panjim (near Ferry Jetty/Riverfront)| | Attending.......drop a line to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt clears fog, sets rules for private airlines to fly HindustanTimes.om United News of India New Delhi, December 27, 2005
As dense fog plays havoc with flight schedules and pushes thousands of passengers to the brink, the government on Tuesday asked all airlines to train some of their pilots to operate in near-blind conditions. "From next year, all carriers must train their pilots to use the newly-installed category III B instrument landing system (CAT III B ILS) at Indira Gandhi International airport which allows flights to take off and land when visibility is down to 50 metres," said Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad. "Otherwise, they will not be able to get flights in and out of Delhi. If they want to fly, they better get ready." CAT III B ILS is an upgrade of the existing category III A-installed two years ago -- which allowes planes to land in 200 metre visibility. Only government-owned Indian (earlier known as Indian Airlines) has pilots (about 90) who are trained to use the new system. Private airlines have been reluctant to send their commanders abroad for training as, they claim, the idea does not make commercial sense. No frills carriers like Air Deccan and SpiceJet do not serve water or snacks to passengers in case the flight is delayed or cancelled. Prasad did some tough talking with chiefs of all airlines at a review meeting on Tuesday morning. Later he told reporters that many travellers have been inconvenienced in recent days and the situation leaves a lot to be desired. "Airlines must provide timely information to their passengers. Low cost carriers must provide water and snacks to passengers who are delayed for no fault of theirs. They must increase the number of phone lines at call centres, update their websites regularly and inform travellers about delays through SMS whenever possible." The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is, meanwhile, putting up a canopy outside the domestic terminal (1B) from where all private airlines operate. Seating arrangements will be made in the next two days where waiting passengers can relax. It is not clear how will they brave the chilly weather with temperature dropping to five or six degrees Celsius. Nearly 13 million passengers - domestic and international-use the IGI airport annually. In winters, fog disrupts movement of aircraft and terminal buildings get choked. Recently, there have been incidents of passengers beating airline staff, seizing control of airline counters and stopping passengers reserved on next flight from boarding an aircraft. On December 23 and 25, no flight landed or took off for nine hours from midnight. Thick fog forced cancellation of nearly 30 flights each day (including 12 of Air Deccan) and 26 flights-including eight international ones-were diverted. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
