India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has introduced new rules requiring airlines to provide free water, snacks, or meals depending on the length of flight delays. The move aims to enhance passenger convenience during unforeseen disruptions, the ministry announced.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), passengers on flights delayed by up to two hours must be provided with drinking water, while delays between two to four hours require airlines to offer tea, coffee, and light refreshments. For delays exceeding four hours, airlines must serve full meals, as per the latest advisory.
Additionally, airlines may soon deplane passengers for delays exceeding two hours caused by adverse weather conditions in Delhi. These passengers could reboard without undergoing new security checks, thanks to a planned temporary enclosure at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The measure seeks to streamline operations and reduce inconvenience during peak disruptions.
The changes come in the wake of dense fog in Delhi earlier this week, which caused significant delays for over 600 flights and the cancellation of 21 others, highlighting the need for passenger-focused measures.
