DGCA Directs Aircraft Window Shades To Remain Shut At Defence Airports Near Pakistan Border
The DGCA requires commercial airlines to keep window shades closed during takeoff and landing at defense airfields near Pakistan's border.
Amid strained ties with Pakistan, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday directed all commercial airlines to ensure that aircraft window shades remain closed during takeoff and landing at defence airfields. This practice is mandatory particularly for those defence airfields that are near the western border with Pakistan.
The rule will be have to be adhered to till the plane ascends to 10,000 feet after takeoff, and after it descends to same height during landing. However, the aviation regulator clarified that the only time when there can be an exception to this rule will be during emergency exit rows.
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Notably, the DGCA order applies to dual-use airports that serve both civilian and military operations.
Further, the DGCA has also urged the airlines to warn passengers against taking photographs and recording video at military bases during their transit.
“Operators should also communicate the potential consequences of non-compliance, including regulatory or legal action as per applicable security protocols," the statement said.
The DGCA has asked the airlines to make mandatory pre-flight announcements, both before take-off and landing, directing flyers to shut window shades and refrain from using cameras or phones for recording.
Moreover, the aviation body has directed all operators to formulate SOPs for their crew to manage safety and security risks while operating from defence airports.
The guidelines have been issued to enhance “operational safety" and prevent the “unintentional sharing of security-related information by the public", the DGCA directive read.
The airports where the rule has to be strictly adhered to include the ones at Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Adampur, Chandigarh, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Nal, Jodhpur, Hindon, Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly, Maharajpur, Gorakhpur, Bhuj, Lohegaon, Goa (Dabolim), and Vizag.
The western border witnessed massive engagements from Pakistan and India after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Amid the heightened tensions, 32 airports in north, central and western parts of the country, including many sensitive defence airbases, remained shut for a few days. However, operations have resumed now, but security concerns remain.
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