Ministry of Civil Aviation holds first Fog Preparedness Meeting for the upcoming winter season; focus on minimising passenger inconvenience

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) conducted its first fog preparedness review meeting for the upcoming winter season under the chairmanship of Secretary Civil Aviation Samir Kumar Sinha, bringing together representatives from DGCA, AAI, BCAS, CISF, IMD, airports, and airlines.

Fog Season Forecast
- Expected fog period: 15 December 2026 to 15 February 2027
- Primary objective: Ensure safe and efficient air operations while minimizing passenger inconvenience caused by low-visibility conditions.

DGCA
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation was tasked with:
- Ensuring regulatory oversight and compliance.
- Verifying aircraft and crew preparedness for low-visibility operations.
- Monitoring airline passenger facilitation measures during disruptions.

AAI and Airport Operators
Airports were directed to ensure:
- Readiness of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).
- Proper functioning of Runway Visual Range (RVR) systems.
- Airside safety measures.
- Adequate terminal capacity.
- Coordinated airport operations during fog conditions.

Airlines
Airlines were instructed to:
- Deploy qualified crews certified for low-visibility operations.
- Maintain compliant aircraft.
- Prepare realistic winter schedules.
- Make timely operational decisions on delays and cancellations.
- Communicate proactively with passengers through:
- SMS
- Mobile applications
- Email alerts
- The emphasis was on ensuring passengers receive updates before leaving for the airport.

IMD
The India Meteorological Department was asked to:
- Provide reliable weather forecasts.
- Conduct regular observations.
- Disseminate timely weather updates to aviation stakeholders.

Air Traffic Control and ANSPs
Air navigation stakeholders were directed to:
- Follow low-visibility procedures.
- Maintain safe aircraft sequencing.
- Coordinate traffic management during fog-related constraints.

BCAS and CISF
Discussions focused on:
- Safe and orderly passenger movement.
- Terminal re-entry procedures.
- Re-boarding arrangements when required during operational disruptions.

Ground Handling Agencies
Airlines were directed to ensure ground handlers:
- Maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Manage baggage efficiently.
- Support timely aircraft turnaround.
- Assist passengers during delays and cancellations.

Passenger Facilitation Measures
- A major focus of the meeting was passenger welfare during prolonged disruptions.
Stakeholders were directed to ensure:
- Adequate staffing at check-in counters.
- Sufficient airline helpdesks.
- Efficient customer care facilities.
- Airport helpline desks staffed with informed and empowered personnel capable of resolving passenger issues effectively.

Overall Objective
The meeting underscored the need for close coordination among all aviation stakeholders to:
- Maintain safety during fog conditions.
- Reduce delays and operational disruptions.
- Provide timely and accurate information.
- Enhance passenger assistance and comfort throughout the winter fog season.

MoCA has initiated pre-season planning well ahead of the expected fog period, with a strong focus on operational readiness, stakeholder coordination, proactive passenger communication, and minimizing the impact of fog-related flight disruptions during winter 2026-27.