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Civilian aircraft to be allowed into defence airspace soon
Smita Aggarwal
Tags : aircraft, Defence Air space
Posted: Thu Sep 23 2010, 02:36 hrs
New Delhi:
Civilian aircraft will soon be able to venture into the restricted defence airspace, resulting in huge fuel savings by bringing down flying time for airlines. Also, flexible access would ensure that the country does not lose out to its neighbour, China, when it comes to international airlines using Indian airspace for overflying purposes.
In a high level meeting of all stakeholders, chaired by civil aviation minister Praful Patel on Monday, the two sides — civil aviation and defence authorities – have shown willingness to adapt to flexible usage of airspace to facilitate civilian aircraft movement in restricted air space manned by the defence. The ministry has appointed a sub committee to work out modalities and recommend steps to evolve a central control command structure, revealed senior civil aviation ministry officials.
The committee has been asked to recommend information sharing procedures, training of those manning Air Traffic Control (ATC) in defence rules and vice versa and establishment of a central control command. “The flexible usage of airspace will result in fuel savings and lesser pollution. Air routes navigated by aircraft will be straightened out as opposed to zigzag routes being followed at present. The defence does not use the restricted air space all the time, so airlines can be allowed to venture into these zones,” said the official. Revenues from overflying charges contribute substantially to the ATC's coffers.
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The defence has two kinds of flying restrictions in the airspace manned by them — No-fly zone or restrictive air space and Danger zones. While danger zones are air space directly above training areas where live ammunition may be fired, restrictive are no-fly zones where no civilian aircraft can enter due to security reasons even for overflying. “One of major concerns is the no-fly zone of a radius of 4 km over the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi. As soon as an aircraft takes off from Delhi airport, its movement to the left is severely restricted as it may breach the no-fly zone. This proves to be a major limitation in handling traffic movement at the airport,” said a senior pilot with Jet Airways. Similarly, the Chennai-Delhi air corridor is a zigzag route due to restrictions imposed by the defence.
Earlier too, on the basis of a recommendation of a government panel, ATC and defence had come together to implement flexible airspace usage in Chennai. “The Chennai airport houses the ATC and the defence command in the same building, which though not an ideal situation, has worked out very well,” said the official. There has to be a unified central command and ATCOs of both sides will have to be trained, added the official. “It will take three-four years to shift to the new system,” the official added.
Smita Aggarwal
Tags : aircraft, Defence Air space
Posted: Thu Sep 23 2010, 02:36 hrs
New Delhi:
Civilian aircraft will soon be able to venture into the restricted defence airspace, resulting in huge fuel savings by bringing down flying time for airlines. Also, flexible access would ensure that the country does not lose out to its neighbour, China, when it comes to international airlines using Indian airspace for overflying purposes.
In a high level meeting of all stakeholders, chaired by civil aviation minister Praful Patel on Monday, the two sides — civil aviation and defence authorities – have shown willingness to adapt to flexible usage of airspace to facilitate civilian aircraft movement in restricted air space manned by the defence. The ministry has appointed a sub committee to work out modalities and recommend steps to evolve a central control command structure, revealed senior civil aviation ministry officials.
The committee has been asked to recommend information sharing procedures, training of those manning Air Traffic Control (ATC) in defence rules and vice versa and establishment of a central control command. “The flexible usage of airspace will result in fuel savings and lesser pollution. Air routes navigated by aircraft will be straightened out as opposed to zigzag routes being followed at present. The defence does not use the restricted air space all the time, so airlines can be allowed to venture into these zones,” said the official. Revenues from overflying charges contribute substantially to the ATC's coffers.
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The defence has two kinds of flying restrictions in the airspace manned by them — No-fly zone or restrictive air space and Danger zones. While danger zones are air space directly above training areas where live ammunition may be fired, restrictive are no-fly zones where no civilian aircraft can enter due to security reasons even for overflying. “One of major concerns is the no-fly zone of a radius of 4 km over the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi. As soon as an aircraft takes off from Delhi airport, its movement to the left is severely restricted as it may breach the no-fly zone. This proves to be a major limitation in handling traffic movement at the airport,” said a senior pilot with Jet Airways. Similarly, the Chennai-Delhi air corridor is a zigzag route due to restrictions imposed by the defence.
Earlier too, on the basis of a recommendation of a government panel, ATC and defence had come together to implement flexible airspace usage in Chennai. “The Chennai airport houses the ATC and the defence command in the same building, which though not an ideal situation, has worked out very well,” said the official. There has to be a unified central command and ATCOs of both sides will have to be trained, added the official. “It will take three-four years to shift to the new system,” the official added.
