Airlines seek weather updates 'well in advance'

Airlines today urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to help put in place a mechanism for providing weather updates "well in advance", a day after more than two dozen flights to the national capital were diverted due to inclement weather conditions.
A host of issues, including about weather forecast system, were discussed during a meeting of executives from domestic airlines and airport operators with Ministry officials here today.
Sources said the airlines sought the Ministry's help to have a system at the major airports whereby they can get information about "weather conditions well in advance". Getting an update at the earliest would help in minimising disruptions to flight schedules, they added.

In the wake of bad weather, more than two dozen flights to the Delhi airport were diverted and many others delayed yesterday.
During the meeting, the airlines proposed utilisation of unused airports in the vicinity of major aerodromes for landing purpose in case of emergency situations and diversions, sources said.
Besides, the carriers have sought expeditious clearance with respect to new directors and crew members, they added.

Among others, there were deliberations on increasing the facilities for night parking of planes at various airports.
Representatives from the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Air India and operators of Delhi and Mumbai airports, among others, are believed to have participated in today's meeting.

Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo, GoAir and Jet Lite make up the FIA.
Airlines are facing issues at various airports, including at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. They vary from congestion to delay in getting ATC clearance which are adversely impacting the on-time performance of many carriers, sources had said.
Among others, at Chennai and Kolkata airports, airlines are facing infrastructure constraints, mainly since terminal capacity has not kept pace with the increase in aircraft movements.