There is good news for frequent flyers, who may find themselves stuck in delayed flights. The aviation security watchdog BCAS has issued new guidelines to provide relief to individuals stuck in delayed flights.
The new rule will allow exit of passengers from an aircraft through an airport departure gate if there is a long delay in operating the flight after boarding.
The new guidelines of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) have come amid rising number of cases of congestion and flight delays. Such delays often result in passengers getting stuck in aircraft after boarding for long hours.
According to BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan, the new guidelines are now in force. These guidelines were first issued on March 30, 2024.
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How will new Flight Delay Rule help?
The new rule will reduce the harassment passengers face after getting stuck in a flight for hours after boarding due to multiple reasons. The delay might be due to traffic congestion, technical issues or bad weather.
Passengers will not have to keep sitting inside an aircraft for long hours after boarding with the implementation of the new rule.
However, airport operators will have to make arrangements to ensure the implementation of the rule announced by BCAS.
According to Hasan, the decision on deboarding passengers will have to be taken by airlines and security agencies concerned.
Hasan shared details of the new rules while speaking to media on the sidelines of a function to mark the 38th Raising Day of BCAS.
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Why this rule?
India’s domestic air traffic is increasing rapidly. Increasing number of flights and passengers amid uncertain weather conditions often lead to air traffic congestion and delayed flights.
In January 2024, BCAS had fined IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL after passengers were seen having food on airport tarmac. Many passengers had then rushed out of an IndiGo aircraft as soon as their long delayed and diverted Goa-Delhi flight landed on the Mumbai Airport on January 14. Some of the passengers sat on the tarmac while some were also seen having food.
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