Air India is getting ready for the more severe impacts of the fog and low visibility just before the winter. As an attempt to reduce the irritations to a minimum when the season of fog will arrive, several strategic initiatives have been taken on scheduling flights, training pilots, and customer service. As earlier issued fines were by the DGCA based on a criticism of non-preparedness, strengthening safety along with customer satisfaction are the measures currently undertaken while the harshness of winters sets in.
Measures During Winter Fog Disturbance
Winter fog, especially in northern India, has been a cause of concern for the airlines for long. It considerably reduces visibility and makes landing difficult for aircraft. Air India, the country’s leading carrier, has undertaken several important steps to make operations smoother, thereby minimizing flight delays and cancellations during this critical period.
Schedule flight changes
The flights are rescheduled based on schedules such that most flights do not get affected either on long-haul routes and metro-to-metro, with onward connections due to the early morning hours when heavy fog affects flights in a significant manner as well as evening hours when heavy fog can become problematic for flights, resulting in lesser disruption of flights. Further, an increase in CAT-III Trained Pilots
One of the major steps that Air India has undertaken is increasing the number of CAT-III certified pilots. CAT-III, or Category III, is a system wherein aircraft can be landed even with zero visibility, as low as 50 meters. More and more of its pilots have been trained and certified to fly an aircraft during such trying times, thus enhancing safety in times of fog.
Improved Airport Staff Deployment
Air India is deploying additional staff at airports, especially at those that are expected to be diverged flights due to fog, to further minimize disruptions. The idea is to minimize inconvenience to passengers in the case of delays or diversions and to provide smoother operations even in the face of adverse weather conditions.
Fog Care Initiative: Enhanced Passenger Experience
The company believes in satisfying its customers. This is the reason why it introduced the Fog Care Initiative. The scheme works towards the proactive engagement with the passengers who travel to and from Delhi, one of the worst affected airports during the winter fog season. To serve this purpose, the airline will keep informing the passengers about potential delay or cancellation or diversion well in advance of their journey.
Passengers whose travel is affected due to disruptions will be rescheduled or reimbursed free of cost, making them well-compensated and allowing them to adjust their travel plans with minimal hassle. This is yet another demonstration of Air India’s concern for transparent and efficient customer service, particularly in the face of challenges from weather.
Background: DGCA Fines and Airline’s Response
Air India has taken proactive steps following an earlier fine imposed by the DGCA this year. It had penalized the airline with a Rs 30 lakh fine in January as the airline did not train enough pilots in low-visibility operations before the onset of fog season. The DGCA said that such an airline will compromise flight safety when operating under conditions of fog. It is a matter of fact that Air India went heavily into pilot training and operation improvement.
The second is the low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, which got slapped with a fine of Rs 10 lakh for failing to pay compensation to passengers in August whose flights were canceled. It goes on to show that the service cannot take the liberty of diluting their standard quality and regulatory compliances at any cost. Thus, Air India and Air India Express have done all that is needed to reinforce their procedures and customer care during disruptions.
CAT-III Instrument Landing System
The CAT-III Instrument Landing System is crucial to a safe landing during low visibility periods, which are common during winter. The system allows aircraft to land even when the level of visibility is at 50 meters. It is for this reason that pilots flying under such conditions should be adequately trained and qualified in CAT-III procedures. With more trained pilots, Air India is to see that more of its fleets can safely operate in those low-visibility conditions, with less risk of delays and cancellation.
Conclusion
Given the impending winter season of fog and poor visibility, Air India is making massive preparations to ensure smooth and safe operations. Adjusting the flight schedule, with senior pilot training, more robust airport staffing, and the Fog Care Initiative, it aims at minimizing disruption with high passenger experience. It includes that how the airline is concerned with safety and customer satisfaction, whereas at the same time the airline is open and receptive enough to learn from failures in performing tasks and better performance afterward.
With such proactive efforts, Air India is far better placed to handle the winter fog season and facilitate hassle-free travel, ensuring a safe journey over the challenging winter months for its passengers.
Refer:
Economic Times, Link to article
Also read : Indian Airlines to See New DGCA Norms for Wet-Leased Aircraft Operations