Govt issues directives to airlines amid congestion at airports

The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday advised airlines to deploy sufficient manpower at check-in and baggage drop counters to ensure smooth flow of passengers at airports.

It also asked airlines to place real-time data on their social media feeds regarding waiting times at entry gates.

The guidelines come amid reports of long queues and over crowding at several airports in the country including Delhi's International terminal.

Also watch: passengers seek better arrangements for hassle-free check-in at 'congested' Delhi airport

On Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia visited Delhi airport and held discussions with all stakeholders to address the congestion at the airport.

The latest communication comes against the backdrop of rising passenger complaints of long waiting hours at Delhi airport where the authorities have taken various measures to ease the congestion.

According to the ministry, it has come to the notice that the airline check-in counters at certain airports are found unmanned or inadequately manned during early morning hours leading to congestion at the airports, thereby causing inconvenience to the passengers.

"Scheduled airlines are therefore advised to deploy sufficient manpower at all check-in/baggage drop counters well in advance to ensure de-congestion and smooth flow of passengers at airports," it said.

Further, the ministry has requested airlines to place real time data on their social media feeds regarding waiting time at respective airports' entry gates.

Domestic air traffic is on the rise and airlines carried more than 4.18 lakh people on December 12, as per official data.

(With PTI inputs)