Airlines in a tangle over circular on flight schedule

Mumbai: An ambiguous circular released by the aviation regulator has airline authorities in the country scratching their heads. The majority view is that it means a nightmare for them and their passengers.
The circular, issued by Lalit Gupta, deputy director-general, civil aviation, on Friday, says: "Amendments in the scheduled (sic) during mid-season along with justification may be discussed and finalized by a committee headed by the joint secretary (ministry of civil aviation), representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India and joint venture company airports. This committee shall meet at least once a month to discuss and finalize these amendments. In view of the above, no ad hoc changes shall be considered." A source said implementation will begin in 10 days.
The airlines have interpreted the circular to mean that if there is any change in a flight's schedule, whatever the reason be, the airline concerned cannot operate the particular flight at any other time without the sanction of the DGCA-appointed committee. At present, if an airline cannot stick to a flight's schedule for reasons like weather-related delay, security delay, technical problem, and crew scheduling problem, it seeks a verbal permit from the DGCA and the airport operator to postpone the affected flight.
But an official from another airline interpreted the circular differently. "I think it only means that airlines should adhere to their slots religiously," he said. "Airlines could continue to operate, for instance, relief flights if an aircraft is grounded at a particular destination or operate a flight at a different time if it gets a bomb alert without approaching the said committee.
29/03/11 Manju V/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2011