Aviation Minister Reviews Flight Disruptions, Safety & Airline Coordination

In the nationwide video conference, the Civil Aviation Minister directed all Airport Directors to enhance their on-ground preparedness.

In a swift and comprehensive response to a series of recent operational challenges, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, held a high-level video conference on 18–19 June 2025 with Airport Directors across India, alongside separate meetings with the leadership of major Indian airlines. These urgent deliberations focused on flight rescheduling, passenger welfare, operational coordination, and aviation safety, following a rise in disruptions stemming from multiple causes—airspace restrictions, weather-related issues, and post-accident technical checks.

Addressing Passenger Discomfort Amid Flight Disruptions

In the nationwide video conference, the Civil Aviation Minister directed all Airport Directors to enhance their on-ground preparedness. Emphasis was placed on improving the passenger experience during delays and irregularities.

Key directives included:

• Proactive Coordination with Airlines: Airports were instructed to maintain close liaison with airline operators to ensure real-time problem resolution and speedy assistance to affected passengers.

• Essential Passenger Amenities: Terminals must ensure the availability of food, drinking water, and sufficient seating, especially during prolonged delays or unexpected congestion.

• Grievance Redressal Teams: Deployment of additional ground staff at touchpoints like boarding gates, information desks, and arrival zones was mandated to swiftly address passenger concerns.

• Operational Support to Airlines: Airports are to assist airlines in logistical matters including gate reassignments, ramp coordination, and baggage handling during operational reconfigurations.

These directives are aimed at safeguarding passenger rights and comfort, even as airlines grapple with factors largely beyond their control.

Wildlife Hazard Mitigation for Safer Airports

Reinforcing the importance of airport safety, the Minister also stressed the need to strengthen wildlife hazard management protocols, especially the deterrence of birds and stray animals. Airport Directors have been instructed to conduct regular patrols, adopt modern bird-scaring technologies, and collaborate with local authorities to minimize wildlife-related threats to aircraft operations.

Strategic Review Meetings with Airlines

In parallel, exclusive review meetings were conducted with the senior management of Air India, SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Akasa Air. Discussions covered:

• Fleet Performance and Safety Oversight

• Passenger Experience and Convenience

• Airline Communication and Crisis Response Strategies

With special attention given to Air India, which is experiencing operational challenges due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Minister reviewed its ongoing measures to maintain service continuity. Due to airspace closures, night flying bans in parts of Europe, and the need for enhanced aircraft checks, Air India is temporarily scaling down operations, restructuring flight schedules, and has committed to transparent public communication regarding all changes.

Affected passengers will be rebooked on alternate flights or offered full refunds, while ground coordination and customer service at airports are being upgraded to provide empathetic, prompt assistance.

The Minister underscored that periodic reviews with airlines will now be institutionalized to ensure proactive monitoring and smoother coordination across the aviation ecosystem.

AAIB Investigation into Air India Crash Near Ahmedabad

A major point of focus was the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 accident near Ahmedabad, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

Key developments include:

• The formal AAIB inquiry began on 12 June 2025, under the supervision of the Director General, AAIB.

• Teams from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have joined the investigation, in accordance with ICAO protocols.

• Two sets of Black Boxes—containing the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—have been recovered (on 13 and 16 June respectively).

• Site documentation, debris mapping, and initial evidence collection have been completed; data analysis is now underway.

• The decision to send flight recorders abroad for decoding will be taken solely by AAIB, based on technical and security evaluations.

The Ministry strongly appealed to all media and stakeholders to refrain from speculative reporting, especially on sensitive safety matters, and assured that full transparency will be maintained as the investigation progresses.

“The Government remains deeply committed to ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety. We urge everyone to respect the integrity of the investigation and allow our technical experts the space to do their job professionally,” said the Minister.

Commitment to Passenger Safety and Public Confidence

Through these rapid interventions, the Ministry has sought to reaffirm its commitment to passenger welfare, even under challenging operational circumstances. It recognizes that flight disruptions can create significant inconvenience but insists that safety must remain the top priority.

The Minister concluded with a resounding call for teamwork across the aviation sector, stating that only through cohesive and responsive efforts can public trust be maintained and India’s aviation sector continue to serve as a model for resilience and service excellence.