Airlines put heads together to chart fog policy

NEW DELHI: Airlines are in favour of coming out with a common fog policy to counter the fallout of weather-related delays and cancellations. The idea is to put collaborative processes in place among various carriers to mitigate the impact of such disruption on air travelers.

Also high on the discussion agenda of the association of carriers, Federation of Indian Airlines, which meets in Mumbai on Tuesday, is compensation to be paid to passengers due to delays and cancellation of flights beyond a certain time period. Honchos and senior executives from the airline industry, including those from Jet Airways, Air India, Indian, Air Deccan, Kingfisher, Spicejet, Go Air, Air Sahara, and IndiGo, are likely to attend the meeting.

Some airlines are keen to flag the issue of escalation in rentals and landing charges in various new airports across the country, which directly impacts their bottomline. Carriers are also in favour of bringing in more transparency while charging fuel surcharge from passengers. ���As the jet fuel rates fluctuate, our fuel surcharge rates need to operate within a price band,��� said CEO of an airline.

Interestingly, the industry is already divided on the issue of the congestion cess. State-run carriers Indian and Air India are not in favour of the congestion cess, following a diktat by ministry of civil aviation while private carriers are pressing forward to continue it. However, there is possibility airlines may decide to do away with congestion cess in the lean travel months of February and March. The association has also been pressing for rationalisation of airline turbine fuel rates in line with international rates.