IGI airport implements pro-active steps to minimise fog delays

Authorities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Friday said that they have implemented pro-active measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers due to the upcoming fog season.

"The true game changer this fog season would be the introduction of Delhi Airport Collaborative Decision Making (DA-CDM)," said I.Prabhakara Rao, chief executive of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the company which manages the IGIA.

"A move that would allow us to recover much faster at the time of flight disruptions during low visibility condition."

The DA-CDM is a system which works by collating all the stake-holders inputs like that from airport operator, Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), through an automated system to increase overall airport efficiency.

The data is then used to plan optimum utilisation of ATC resources, runways for reducing workload of ATC controllers and ground delays.

The information is also passed on to airlines and passengers.

The system is far more advanced than earlier procedures used in the fog season as it provides detailed guidelines for departure and arrival of delayed aircraft in a priority setup.

DIAL has also increased the number of seats at its domestic terminal 1 D (T1D) for waiting passengers, while airlines have been advised to take care of food and beverage requirements of waiting passengers at the airport.

DIAL further said that meetings with all the stake-holders including the airlines have taken place.

According to Rao, the airport's three runways will be utilising CAT III B systems which would allow landing of aircraft with a minimum visibility of 50 meters and take-off with a minimum visibility of 125 meters.

"To reduce delays and congestion due to fog, the operator has devised a plan that would ensure smooth flow of flight information, almost on real time basis, to the passengers."

The IMD office at the airport has predicted the onset of the fog season in the national capital by the third week of December and which might last up to February, 2014.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) which takes care of the air traffic management (ATM) at IGIA has also identified 13 airports as diversionary points for the fog period.

"With our past experience and improved preparedness we are in a better position to handle air traffic as smoothly as possible with minimum delays and least diversions during the fog period," M.C.Dangi, general manager, ATM, IGIA said.