New Delhi IGI Airport gears up for winter fog

New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is gearing up for the oncoming winter season and possible disruption of flights due to fog and low visibility. In consultation with Airlines, and other bodies Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport operator, has drawn up a strategy to provide additional facilities to passengers during the fog season. These activities include:

City Side

• The temporary kerbside extension of Terminal 1B has been replaced with a permanent structure and provided with heating. Additional seating has also been provided, along with food and beverage kiosks. An extensive flight information display system is being provided in the extension area to regularly update the passengers. An additional seating area is also being provided for those seeing off their friends and family.
• A parallel wing now houses more space for check – in and baggage X-ray for passengers. This extension has been added to the Low Cost Carrier Wing of Terminal 1B and would benefit passengers traveling by Kingfisher Red, Spicejet, Indigo & Go Air.
• DIAL has also deployed specially trained Customer Service Staff to provide assistance & information to passengers. A park and ride parking service has also been provided to ensure additional car parking availability at IGI the airport.
• The domestic arrival terminal has also been renovated and expanded. A portion of the renovated area has already been opened along with a large canopy for friends and family. In addition separate exit routes have been provided for the benefit of passengers availing pre-paid taxis.

Passenger Terminals

• A brand new wing in the Security Hold Area of Terminal 1B has been recently commissioned. The new seating area has 150 seats which are sufficient to cater to the load of one complete flight. In addition, an extra bus gate is being commissioned to facilitate direct access from the extension area to the aircraft.
• Additional F&B outlets have opened across the passenger terminals. These outlets are operated by leading F&B brands such as Café Coffee Day, Costa Coffee, Café Ritazza, Nirula’s and Flavours.
• An increased number of payphones and coin operated booths have been added at IGI Airport to help passengers stay in touch with their friends and relatives.

Airside

• With the recent inauguration of the new runway 11-29, IGIA is equipped with two parallel runways with Category IIIB Instrument Landing System. IGIA is the only airport in the India to feature CAT IIIB ILS which allows compatible aircraft and trained pilots to land even when the runway visibility is up to 50 meters.
• 55 parking bays at the domestic aircraft apron have been provided with CAT III compatible lighting systems. Additions carried out over the last year have provided additional number taxi routings to smoothen aircraft movement and prioritize the movement of CAT III enabled aircraft.
• A special leaflet is being distributed among airside drivers with tips on safe operations during low visibility conditions.
• To co-ordinate the operations during the fog period, a centralised Emergency Response & Interactive Centre (ERIC) will be set up. The Meteorological Department of India will also be providing latest fog updates to the ERIC.

Other Initiatives

• IGIA has augmented it’s helpline which will share the updated flight information and airlines’ contacts numbers.
• A link of the FIDS (Flight Information Display System) has been provided on DIAL website for real-time flight arrival and departure information, the benefit of passengers.
• Special booklets with information on fog and do’s and don’ts for passengers and airline numbers are also being circulated.

Please feel free to post your comments and experiences as a feedback to fellow passengers on the effectiveness of these new actions.