Air India is fully geared up to ensure smooth operations of flights under fog-induced low visibility conditions, during the forthcoming winter season.

The airlines, which has the largest pool of nearly 700 pilots trained for Category III operations, has also taken pro-active steps to minimise flight disruptions and ensure quick dissemination of information related to flight operations, across its network.

Since the first phase of operations is very crucial to maintain ontime performance of entire network, the aircraft designated for the early morning departures will be parked overnight on category III enabled parking bays, a statement from Air India here said.

Also, the roster of pilots is being prepared with a view to ensure that adequate numbers of Category-III rated pilots are available to operate flights to and from all metros.

In case the visibility at an airport falls below the minimum requirement for flight operations, rescheduling of flights will be done and intimated to passengers through phone and/or SMS alerts.

Information relating to rescheduling of flights will also be communicated through the media on 24x7 basis. The resources at the call centre have been strengthened to meet the expected increase in workload during this period, it said.

Additional manpower is being deployed on the kerb-side of the terminal building to assist passengers needing information or special assistance.

Passengers are being advised to provide their phone number, preferably the mobile phone numbers, at the time of booking and also to check the flight status from round-the-clock toll free number: 1800 180 1407 (BSNL/MTNL) or 011 1407 before leaving for the airport to board their flight. (UNI)