Domestic airlines will start a new flight procedure to reduce fuel burn and cut operating costs. Under this procedure, airlines will not carry extra fuel for diversion to an alternate airport. Fuel cost accounts for 30-40 per cent of an airline’s expense in India.
Air India, AirAsia India and IndiGo operated first trial flights after recieving approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Typically, airlines file a flight plan after factoring in diversion airport in case its flight is unable to land at the destination. Thus, the aircraft has to carry additional fuel back and forth. This is redundant when there is no diversion from the intended destination. There are regulations which permit flights without factoring a diversion airport.
