India: Govt to rationalise block time of flights as airports face slot constraints

The civil aviation ministry has started the process of rationalising the block time of scheduled flights amid slot constraints at various airports. The ministry's move assumes significance against the backdrop of slot constraints at various airports, especially those in metros, and disputes over OTP claims made by airlines. "The process of block time rationalisation has started. It is a process that will be taken up every time a slot allocation happens or when a schedule has to be approved," Civil Aviation secretary R N Choubey said Tuesday. He noted that the DGCA has issued guidelines, that are free from "ambiguity", with respect to block time. The ministry has asked the DGCA as well as authorities related to slot allotments and schedule approval to constantly push for harmonisation of airlines' block time with the real block time. <br/>