The Centre on Thursday said it will institutionalise periodic reviews with airlines on operational matters. The announcement comes after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and recent disruptions in flights.
These reviews will also cover aviation safety, airline performance and passenger support systems across the country.
“It was decided that the practice of periodical review with the airlines on operational matters will be institutionalised for better monitoring and coordination,” the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu with airport directors from across India and representatives of all airlines. The meeting focused on reviewing ground-level preparedness and passenger support mechanisms in light of flight rescheduling caused by post-accident checks, weather disruptions, and airspace closures due to geopolitical tensions.
Meetings were also held with the senior management of Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air.
Naidu also met Air India chairperson N Chandrasekaran and CEO Campbell Wilson to discuss maintaining operational continuity, supporting transparent and accountable communication with the public and passengers’ safety and convenience.
Key directives were also issued, emphasising close coordination with airlines to promptly address passenger concerns on-site. Airports were instructed to ensure adequate availability of food, drinking water, and seating, particularly during flight delays or periods of congestion. The statement added that sufficient personnel must be deployed at critical locations to proactively manage passenger grievances.
Airport directors were also directed to provide comprehensive support to airlines facing operational disruptions, including assistance with gate reassignments and other logistical requirements. To maintain a safe and secure airport environment, they were further instructed to strengthen wildlife hazard management, with a focus on deterring birds and stray animals, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the minister said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered both black boxes and initiated a formal investigation into the Air India crash.
A multi-disciplinary team began its probe on June 12 and retrieved the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the crash site. In accordance with ICAO guidelines, international experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and aircraft manufacturers have also joined the investigation.
The ministry confirmed that recovery work and evidence collection have been completed, and further analysis is underway.