Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) has issued Guidelines for various aircraft operations during
low visibility conditions at IGI Airport.
In the guidelines action required to be taken by various agencies at
airport like aerodrome operator, airlines, Air Traffic management,
Meteorological department are detailed.
These guidelines are revised by DGCA from time to time on the feedback
and previous experience for making them safe and convenient for handling the
situation arising due to the fog at IGI Airport.
Preparedness
of all agencies like IMD, DIAL, AAI and airlines were reviewed in the light of
forthcoming fog season and existing guidelines in
the DGCA office on 16 November, 2009.
India Meteorological Department
·
The
IMD representative informed that material data of fog period at IGI Airport is between December 10, 2009 to February 10, 2010.
·
IMD
is providing MET forecast at 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC for Fog forecast on their
website. The 1200 UTC forecast is most
essential as it helps airline in planning flight schedule and crew roistering
for the anticipated fog on next day.
·
The
IMD website would also make available instantaneous RVR on IGI Airport on their website which can be used
by airlines for advance planning.
·
The
RVR for runway 28 would continued to be with 30
minutes updates as per the existing system.
·
The
airlines requested to provide forecast for alternative airport like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar
etc. for planning purposes and should also be made available on the IMD
website.
·
The
automatic weather information telephone 25653081 required to be updated by the
agency maintaining it.
Airport Authority of India (AAI)
·
To
enhance the capacity AAI shall use runway in segregated mode.
·
Sometimes
non-CAT II/III flights had already been given
start-up and taxi out, are not able to depart due to sudden drop in
visibility. This causes delay to the CAT-II/III flights which are following them it
was informed that such situation can be reduced with filing of special schedule
for FOG period by airlines. As per the
provision, airlines can file the schedule for CAT-II/III compliant flights between 0500-1000
hours.
·
On
the improvement of visibility, there is scramble for airlines to dispatch the
flights out of Delhi. The matter
was discussed and it was decided that such situations can be handled as per the
provision contained in the guidelines issued by DGCA.
·
AAI shall not undertake any construction work during the fog
period to avoids inconvenience to aircraft operations.
·
AAI shall submit to DGCA the action taken by them for
integration of SMR at IGI airport for extending the validity of CAT II/III operation from runway 29/11.
·
AAI will continue to provide expected touch on time to the
aircraft in advance as per the practice being followed.
·
The
clearance to the aircraft which fail to taxi out within 5 minutes of starter
clearance shall be cancelled. ATC shall
also intimate the expiry time while issuing the start up clearance.
·
AAI requested availability of taxi for expediting the traffic
departing from runway 29. DIAL
representative informed that due to various reasons the taxi Y cannot be made
available till March 2010.
DIAL
·
DIAL
informed that there are 55 CAT-III compliant bays at IGI airport, out of which 36 are for the
domestic flights.
·
Domestic
apron area for the CAT-III non-compliant aircraft not be
allocated CAT-III equipped parking stands.
·
Additional
staff shall be deployed in the DIAL Call Centre for disseminating information
to the public.
·
DIAL
was advised to explore possibility of providing additional follow me jeep
during the low visibility conditions for the airlines coaches. As per DIAL provision of follow me service to
coaches and other vehicle would require large number of follow me vehicles and
it would examine the possibility.
·
Dial
to ensure availability of Media Centre in Terminal-ID for the daily briefing
and nominated media person in-situ to coordinate media response.
·
Taxiway
‘J’ leading to the NACIL hanger area does not have the taxiway lights and it
was decided that since the area is exclusive use of the airlines
retro-refractive markers will be provided on taxiway ‘J’. Lighting on service road from M/s. Cambata Aviation to north of stand 92 to be provided by
DIAL.
·
ATC
will inform the availability of parking stands at alternative airports to AOCC
at IGI airport to help airlines in planning their diversions.
Airlines
·
Call
center operations for the updates on any flight delays and information to the
passengers.
·
Information
on flight status through Auto dialer or SMS to the passengers.
·
Close
coordination between operations control center, airports and call center for
speedy and timely updates.
·
Passengers
requested to confirm the departure before leaving for the airports in case of
fog.
·
Snacks
to be provided to the delayed flight passengers.
CISF
·
Additional
frisking counters to be provided by DIAL which will be manned by the CISF
personnel.
·
Screening
of the snack arranged by the airlines from their caterers in the SHA for
stranded passengers.
Fog Schedule
·
Airlines
were advised to file separate fog schedule for Cat-III non-compliant aircraft in their
fleet from 10 December, 2009 to 10
February, 2010 for approval. Otherwise during
foggy conditions, the approved departure/arrival slot of these aircraft prior
to 1000hrs. shall be shifted beyond 1000 hrs. in coordination with the concerned airport operator.
***
MC/MK
DGCA issues guidelines for aircraft operations during fog conditions
