Airport chaos: Centre asks airlines to deploy adequate manpower at check-in counters

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

New Delhi, Dec 13: The ministry of civil aviation on Tuesday asked airlines to deploy adequate manpower at all check-in and baggage drop counters to ensure smooth flow of passengers.

The statement 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.

For the past few days, passengers at the Delhi airport have been complaining of long lines, long waiting period, overcrowding, and general mismangement. They have taken to social media to also complain of lack of staff to process the passengers.

Union Minister Jyotoraditya Scindia held a closed-door meeting with all the stakeholders in the Delhi airport management and issued directions.

The government has initiated steps such as reducing peak traffic at the airport, according to India Today.

The report says, "In a bid to tackle congestion at the Delhi airport, the Centre is planning to reduce flight departures to 33 from the airport terminals during peak hours.

The effort is to have 14 flights at T3, 11 in T2 and 8 in T1 during these hours.The peak hours are from 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 8 pm."