Airlines to offer Food and Comfort during flight delays, DGCA announces new guidelines

New Delhi: With the onset of winter and increasing fog in northern India, flight delays due to low visibility have become a common occurrence. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, has issued new directives to ensure passenger comfort during extended delays.

On Friday, the ministry announced that airlines are now required to provide essential services to passengers if flights are delayed. If a flight is delayed by two hours, passengers must be offered drinking water.

For delays lasting between two and four hours, airlines are instructed to provide refreshments, including snacks, tea, or coffee. In cases where delays exceed four hours, full meals will be provided to passengers.

In addition, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has addressed a longstanding issue faced by passengers stranded inside aircraft during delays.

Under the new measures, if a flight is delayed due to weather or technical reasons, passengers will be allowed to disembark and wait comfortably inside the airport terminal until the flight is ready for takeoff.

The DGCA’s new guidelines aim to alleviate the discomfort passengers often experience during prolonged delays, particularly in winter when flight schedules are frequently disrupted. The modalities for implementing these measures are being finalized, and discussions with relevant authorities are underway.

These changes are part of broader efforts by the DGCA and BCAS to improve the passenger experience and ensure better handling of delays during peak travel seasons.