India: Delayed flights? Errant airlines could be in for a shock

Airlines could lose their precious landing and take-off slots at an airport if they do not operate their flights on time, according to a senior govt official. As part of this exercise, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport will be monitoring the on-time performance of various airlines for the month of July. On the basis of the data collected, airlines could lose their slots when the aviation watchdog prepares the winter schedule. An official added that while airlines were initially hesitant about the proposal, they have now agreed to it. As flight delays are not always an airline’s fault and can often be a result of inclement weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, domestic carriers will not be penalised if a particular flight is delayed only 15%-20% of the times. <br/>