Congestion down, but problems remain: Airlines

New Delhi: Airlines are divided over the civil aviation ministry’s claim that its recent steps have reduced congestion in metro airports.
While budget airlines like SpiceJet and Air Deccan say the airborne waiting time has come down by up to half, others like Kingfisher say there has been no change.
Many airlines say they are not being given priority over chartered carriers, which is adding to the congestion problem.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had recently taken a number of steps to reduce congestion during peak hours. The maximum number of flights during peak hours has been capped at 35 per hour in Delhi Airport and 30 per hour in Mumbai Airport. Also, in the case of Delhi Airport, the period when both the runways are open has been extended by one hour.
Airline companies have been facing huge losses due to congestion as long waits for landing consumes a lot of fuel.
Most airlines agree that there is still a long way to go. Delays in takeoffs and getting parking slots continue.
Industry experts say there could be many reasons for the delay and rescheduling of flights is not the only answer.
22/04/07 Anirban Chowdhury/Business Standard

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Categories: Airports Apr 2007, General Aviation Apr 2007