Notice issued to AI, SpiceJet for employing untrained pilots on Delhi bound flights
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday issued show cause notices to Air India and SpiceJet for rostering non-CAT III compliant pilots during low visibility at Delhi airport, which led to diversion of several Delhi-bound flights. .
A senior DGCA official confirmed that the notice was issued to the airlines after it was found that a large number of flight changes were reported at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport because these airlines had non-CAT III compliant pilots. Did the roaster. The pilots were not trained to take off or land in low visibility.
Over 50 diversions were reported at Delhi airport due to low visibility due to fog between the midnight of 24–25 and 27–28 December.
“The airlines have been asked to respond within fifteen days,” the official said.
On December 26, flight operations at IGI airport were severely affected as visibility dropped to 50 metres.
According to airport sources, visibility of 50 meters is considered as zero visibility. Visibility improved slightly at 8.30 am when visibility was 75 metres, but it again dropped to 50 metres.
The advisory issued by Delhi Airport said, “While landings and take-offs are continuing at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may be affected. Passengers are requested to contact the respective airlines for updated flight information. Deeply regret any inconvenience caused.” Said.
The airport authorities had introduced anti-fog landing system, technically called CAT-III Instrument Landing System (ILS). The CAT III system helps in precise approaches and landings when runway visibility levels are low.
