Crackdown on 4 airlines for flouting orders

Despite our warnings to respect the curfew hours,some airlines have violated this directive

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cracked the whip on four airlines for violating its directive not to operate flights to Goa during certain hours when ground navigational aids at the airport there are not operational,forcing pilots to make blind landings.

The action came even as the Indian Commercial Pilots Association(ICPA) directed all its members not to fly to Goa till April 30 in the wake of violation of flight safety rules by some air carriers and blind landings at Dambolim airport. ICPA is a body of former Indian Airlines pilots.

The DGCA had issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) about a week ago,advising all airlines not to operate flights during certain hours in a day when the ground-based radar system PAPI (precision approach path indicator) is switched off due to repairs.

Story continues below this ad

Despite our warnings to respect the curfew hours,some airlines have violated this directive. They will have to pay for it. We will take action, DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan told PTI.

Official sources said the DGCA is in the process of sending notices to Kingfisher,GoAir,JetLite and Jet Airways for operating flights during these periods from 900 am to 1 pm and 3 pm till 7 pm.

Bhushan said the NOTAM had warned all airlines not to operate flights of jet aircraft during this period due to shutting down of the crucial navigational aids.