Delhi fog: Air India and SpiceJet served show cause notice by DGCA

The DGCA has issued a notice to Air India and SpiceJet for not deploying their trained pilots to New Delhi during the period of fog in the winters.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued show cause notice to airlines Air India and SpiceJet. The airlines have been issued the notice for not deploying their trained pilots who were adept at landing in Delhi's fog.

This led to at least 50 flight diversions at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in the recent winter for four days, due to low visibility on December 24-25 and December 27-28.

DGCA has made it mandatory for the two airlines to “respond within 14 days” to the notice. 

The notice was served after the data was verified from the airlines and the air traffic control (ATC).

Delhi Airport observed that out of the 58 flights diverted on the four days, 50 flights were diverted because “their captains were not trained to operate in low visibility conditions”.

As soon as winter intensified in Delhi, over 100 flights were delayed, rescheduled or cancelled per day for two days to and fro in the national capital due to the fog and severe cold conditions. Several trains were also delayed or cancelled.