New Delhi: The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a directive to all airlines to enhance passenger comfort, safety, and regulatory compliance in light of recent airspace closures and overflight restrictions. Following Pakistan's closure of its airspace for India due to heightened diplomatic tensions, several international flight routes have been significantly altered, resulting in extended flight durations and the potential for technical stopovers.
In its advisory, the DGCA emphasized the need for proactive communication with passengers. Airlines are required to inform travelers about route changes, extended travel times, and any technical halts at key points such as check-in, boarding, and through digital alerts.
The advisory also mandates that airlines adjust catering services based on the new block times, ensuring an adequate supply of food, hydration, and special meals during flights, including during technical stopovers. Additionally, airlines must verify the availability of medical supplies and ensure emergency services are in place at any potential stopover airports.
To manage the disruptions effectively, airlines’ call centers and customer service teams must be prepared to handle delays, missed connections, and provide necessary assistance or compensation in line with applicable regulations. Seamless coordination between flight operations, customer service, ground handling, inflight services, and medical partners is essential to maintain smooth operations.
The DGCA has made this directive mandatory, stressing that any failure to comply could result in regulatory action under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). The directive is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.
In response to the airspace restrictions, Indian airlines have announced that their international flights will take alternative extended routes. Airlines operating from airports in northern India, including Delhi, Lucknow, and Amritsar, will now reroute via Gujarat or Maharashtra before heading towards Europe, North America, or West Asia. This detour will add between 2 to 2.5 hours to the flight durations for some US and European flights operated by Indian carriers.
With IANS inputs