IndiGo flight delays and cancellations continued for the ninth consecutive day on Wednesday, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to instruct officials to conduct immediate spot checks at 11 airports. It lists 13 indicators to review and assess during an inspection.
In its December 10 notification, the DGCA said, “In view of the inconvenience to passengers caused by the widespread disruption of IndiGo Airlines operations at various airports across the country, it has been decided that DGCA officers will carry out immediate on-site inspections at the airports mentioned below….All the officers assigned will visit their respective airports as soon as possible (within 2-3 days of completion of visit to DG CA4) and submit to the Director CA of the quarter within 2-3 days of completion of visit4 of Operations (FSD) jamwal.dgca@nic.in.”
The purpose of this directive is to ensure passenger safety, assess “operational readiness, measures to facilitate passengers and the airline’s ability to respond during an ongoing disruption.”
The DGCA has issued the following guidelines instructing officials to examine them at airports:
- Status of flight delays and cancellations
- Congestion condition in end areas
- Queue management at check-in, security and boarding gates.
- Adequacy of airline and airport operating forces
- Airline Help Desk Status on 24×7 basis
- Providing quick information to passengers about delays, cancellations and alternative arrangements
- Availability of basic amenities for passengers such as drinking water
- Providing special assistance to the elderly, children, pregnant women and persons with reduced mobility (PRM).
- Provision of adequate chairs in passenger areas.
- The presence of the airline’s top management.
- State of hygiene and cleanliness, especially in toilets and terminals.
- Status of household employees.
- Baggage pending delivery status.
- Get direct feedback from passengers
The DGCA also demanded a comprehensive report on Indigo’s operations and flight management status. It directed the airlines to provide details on 6 key indicators by 15:00 on December 11.
