
The DGCA command says: “All shades of the passenger window, if possible (with the exception of the emergency departure windows), will remain specifically closed during take -off and landing until the airplane is in the air and exceeds the altitude of 10,000 feet during departure or when arrival, descends below 10,000 feet and does not reach the parking bay” | Photo Credit: Getty Images/Istockphoto
DGCA has issued a directive to airline companies, helicopters and operators of authorized aircraft, ordering that shades of passenger seats remain closed for flights that arrive and leave defensive airports until the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet during or after its height.
“The order was issued on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defense,” said higher DGCA official Hindus on condition of anonymity.
The order says: “All shades of the passenger window, if possible (except the emergency departure windows), remain closed during take -off and landing phases and land specifically until the airplane is in the air and exceeds the altitude of 10,000 feet during departure or when arrival, descend below 10,000 feet and does not reach the civic.” Was released on May 20.
Airlines and other air operators will also have to remind passengers that photographs and videographs are banned from military foundations.
Several defensive airports in India double as commercial airports and are known as civic enclaves. These include Sleb, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Pune, Jamnagar, Bagdography, among others.
Airlines were instructed to prepare standard operating protocols for their crew to deal with security risks, including announcements before take -off and landing at all defensive airports, “especially those close to the West Indian border”. The breach of these rules will lead to legal measures against passengers, says the order.
Several pilots, while speaking anonymously, indicated that maintaining open windows during landing and take -off is a mandatory safety requirement because it helps visually monitor the external environment and identify potential risks such as engine fire from technical errors or bird strikes known to take place during take -off and landing. Open windows also help ensure situational awareness in an emergency leading to evacuation, such as identifying obstacles or safe output routes.
In response to the higher DGCA official, the emergency departure windows were open for these reasons and added that the order would be reviewed in a week.
Published – May 22, 2025 9:19