In a move to combat flight delays due to fog and low visibility, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted approval for special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for flights operating to and from Gondia Airport in Maharashtra.
This marks the second instance of the watchdog approving such operations at a small airport, with a previous approval granted to IndiGo for Deoghar airport in Jharkhand on November 15 last year.
The special VFR operations, authorized by DGCA, enable flights to operate in weather conditions where visibility falls below the standard criteria for VFR operations, set at 5,000 meters. Notably, InterGlobe Aviation Limited, operating under the banner of IndiGo, has secured approval for its ATR 72-600 aircraft to conduct special VFR operations at Gondia Airport.
With this nod from the aviation regulator, the ATR 72-600 aircraft is now empowered to take off and land at Gondia Airport even in reduced visibility conditions, extending up to 3,200 meters. This development is poised to augment the airport’s operational capacity during adverse weather conditions, addressing the challenges posed by fog-related disruptions.
Emphasizing the importance of safety, the DGCA highlighted that the approval for IndiGo’s ATR 72-600 aircraft was granted following a meticulous evaluation of safety risk assessment and mitigation processes. The airline’s adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) played a crucial role in securing the regulatory nod.
Under the new guidelines, a feedback mechanism has been integrated into the approval process, mandating airline operators to submit feedback for the first 30 flights operating under special VFR procedures. This data will undergo analysis and review by the DGCA.
The civil aviation regulator emphasizes that these approvals enable scheduled airline operators to conduct flights in reduced visibility at VFR airports and those covered under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). The move is expected to enhance connectivity for smaller airfields, aligning with the Government of India’s UDAN/RCS Scheme.
These new rules established by the DGCA mark a pivotal stride in addressing the persistent challenges faced by flights, including delays, diversions, and cancellations, attributed to low visibility at smaller airports. These new rules by the aviation regulator mark a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of flight delays, diversions, and cancellations attributed to low visibility at smaller airports.