Three Indian carriers charged over safety infringements
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Three Indian airlines have been charged for allegedly jeopardising passenger safety.
The Times of India reported the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as saying that IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir broke the rules by flying aircraft at full capacity on short runways during the hot summer period.
The incidents are reported to have occurred at Jammu Airport, in the northern state of Jammu & Kashmir, and Patna Airport in Bihar.
Under DGCA guidelines, Indian carriers are obliged to keep at least 20% of their seats unoccupied during the hot summer months at airports where the runways are deemed to be too short. Otherwise the combination of atmospheric conditions and the weight of the full aircraft could cause aircraft to overshoot the runway.
“We observed some flights to and from Jammu and Patna of IndiGo, Jet Airways, Air India, SpiceJet and GoAir. Except Air India and Jet, the flights observed of the other three airlines were found operating almost 100% full, while in this heat they should be at most 80% full or have 20% seats vacant to keep planes adequately light,” a DGCA official was quoted saying.
The regulator has threatened to cancel the airlines’ flights to and from these cities if they cannot ensure they will abide by the rule.
The airlines have been asked to cancel the remaining 20% of sold tickets and make alternate arrangements for the affected passengers, the newspaper added.
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