Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had directed his ministry officials to ensure that airlines and airports across India make announcements in the local language, in addition to Hindi and English. On December 26, 2018, his private secretary Rohit Yadav conveyed the directive in an official note, asking for immediate compliance. The note specified that all public address announcements at airports and in scheduled airlines should be made first in the local language, followed by Hindi and English, and compliance reports were sought the same day.
Local Language Announcements at Airports Made Mandatory, Airlines Get Advisory
However, ministry officials highlighted the practical challenges in enforcing this rule for airlines. Aircraft frequently cross multiple states during flights, and cabin crew may not be familiar with all regional languages. Documents accessed by PTI revealed that officials considered this directive “practically not feasible.” As a result, while the government directed airports to implement the rule, airlines were only advised to follow it “to the extent feasible.”
On December 27, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory encouraging airlines to make in-flight announcements in local languages whenever possible but refrained from making it mandatory. The then civil aviation secretary, Rajiv Nayan Choubey, in an official note, echoed these concerns, stating that mandatory local language use in aircraft announcements would not be workable. Instead, he suggested that while airports could adopt the practice, airlines should be encouraged but not compelled. He further clarified that the Airports Authority of India (AAI), managing 125 airports, would issue directions under its jurisdiction, while the civil aviation ministry’s additional secretary would address other airports.
DGCA Adds Cultural Touch, Goa Demands Konkani Announcements
The DGCA advisory also added a cultural dimension by suggesting that pilots could enhance passenger experience by announcing information about important monuments or heritage sites along the route. Meanwhile, in Goa, the language issue sparked political reactions. On December 22, state minister Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party, part of the BJP-led coalition, warned airlines at Dabolim airport to ensure announcements in Konkani, the state’s official language. He stated that ignoring Konkani was unacceptable and emphasized projecting the local language first at Goa’s only airport.
Summary:
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu directed use of local languages in airport and airline announcements alongside Hindi and English. Airports were mandated, while airlines received only an advisory due to feasibility issues. DGCA suggested cultural heritage announcements. In Goa, minister Vijai Sardesai demanded mandatory Konkani usage at Dabolim airport.
