At a fog‑preparedness briefing on Tuesday, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha chaired a session that brought together airline executives, DGCA officials, the Airports Authority of India, and meteorology officers.
The ministry directed airlines to guarantee the presence of qualified crew and compliant aircraft for low‑visibility operations, and to devise realistic flight schedules that minimise passenger disruption.
Ground handlers must sustain adequate staffing, streamline baggage handling, and ensure efficient aircraft turnaround, while passenger helpdesks are to be manned by informed staff ready to address queries.
DGCA Director General Vir Vikram Yadav will oversee compliance, verifying crew readiness and aircraft suitability, and ensuring that passenger facilitation measures meet regulatory standards.
Meanwhile, AAI Chairman Puneet Kansal and airport operators were instructed to confirm the readiness of Instrument Landing Systems, Runway Visual Range equipment, and airside safety protocols, and to coordinate operations during the fog window.
The Indian Meteorological Department has been tasked with delivering reliable forecasts and timely weather updates, while air‑traffic control services must maintain safe sequencing and adhere to low‑visibility procedures.
Airlines are now required to implement these directives immediately, with the ministry planning to review compliance in the coming months and impose penalties for non‑conformance.