How is Civil Aviation Minister Addressing Safety Concerns After the Air India Crash?

New Delhi, June 19 (NationPress) Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has initiated an extensive assessment of safety, passenger facilitation, and airline performance following the unfortunate incident involving an Air India flight shortly after its departure from Ahmedabad airport.

The Minister convened a meeting with Campbell Wilson, Chairman & Managing Director of Air India, focusing on maintaining operational continuity, fostering transparent and accountable communication with the public, and ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that due to the changing circumstances in the Middle East, increased safety checks, and a restriction on night flying in Europe, Air India is experiencing a decrease in aircraft availability. Consequently, they will temporarily reduce operations, reorganize flights, and communicate updates through various media channels.

Affected passengers will be either rebooked or provided with full refunds. Air India has been advised to enhance their ground-level coordination at airports, improve communication with passengers regarding cancellations/delays, and ensure that customer service teams are trained to handle rising passenger concerns with empathy and clarity.

Meetings were also conducted with senior management from Spice Jet, Indigo, and Akasa on June 18 and 19, where the Minister reviewed fleet performance, safety oversight, and the passenger experience. It was agreed to institutionalize the practice of periodic reviews with airlines regarding operational matters for better monitoring and coordination.

Naidu also held a comprehensive video conference with all Airport Directors nationwide to evaluate ground-level preparedness and mechanisms for passenger support in light of flight rescheduling due to various reasons such as post-accident checks, weather changes, and airspace closures prompted by geopolitical tensions.

The Minister instructed for close collaboration with airlines to ensure that passenger issues are swiftly addressed. Officials were directed to provide food, drinking water, and adequate seating at terminals, especially during flight delays or congestion.

Furthermore, he mandated that sufficient personnel should be positioned at key touchpoints to proactively manage passenger grievances.

Airport Directors were also urged to extend all necessary support to airlines experiencing operational challenges, including gate reassignments and logistical assistance.

Additionally, directives were issued to reinforce wildlife hazard management, including measures to deter birds and stray animals, in order to sustain a safe and secure airport environment.