Window shades to also remain closed while aircraft takes off and lands
VASCO
Planning to preserve cherished memories by clicking videos or photos of loved ones in the terminals at Dabolim airport, and while the aircraft has just taken off or is about to land? Or even sitting by the window seat and watching your plane take off or land at Dabolim airport?
All that is now prohibited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) at Dabolim airport.
According to media reports, these are part of fresh directives issued by DGCA for commercial operations, to all scheduled, scheduled commuter, and non-scheduled aircraft operating from defence airfields across the country, particularly those near the western border.
Dabolim airport is among the many defence airfields in the country which has a civil enclave for a commercial airport managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The DGCA issued the directives on May 20, reportedly on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence, “to enhance operational safety and prevent the unintentional sharing of security-related information by the general public/crew.”
According to the DGCA directives, all passenger window shades (except at emergency exit windows) must remain closed during take-off and landing, until the aircraft has crossed an altitude of 10,000 feet after departure, or descends below this height and reaches the parking bay at the civil terminal of a defence airfield.
The DGCA has also stated that aerial or ground photography and videography are strictly prohibited at all times when passengers are inside the terminal, in vehicles en-route to or from the aircraft, outside the aircraft, during landing, at the airport, during pushback, taxiing, take-off, and while the aircraft is flying below 10,000 feet.
The aviation watchdog has stipulated that all operators must take necessary steps to ensure passengers are clearly informed and regularly reminded of the prohibition on photography and videography at military bases, warning that violation of these instructions would lead to legal action.
Flight/cabin crew have been mandated to make announcements prior to take-off, before cabin securement, and before landing, instructing passengers to lower window shades (except at emergency exit windows) and refrain from photography/videography at all times below 10,000 feet.
When contacted, sources at Dabolim airport confirmed having received the DGCA circular.
“We have received the DGCA circular and signages are also present all around the airport to inform passengers about the prohibition of clicking videos and photos at the airport as it is a defence airport,” said the source.
“However, we are not aware if airline operators have begun making announcements about the circular in the flights.”
Besides Dabolim airport, the other airports where the DGSC directives have to be strictly followed include the ones at Adampur, Agra, Bathinda, Bhuj, Chandigarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Hindon, Kanpur, Leh, Lohegaon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jodhpur, Maharajpur, Nal, Pathankot, Srinagar, and Vizag.
