Air force blames airports body for PM security scare

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) Wednesday blamed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the security scare Tuesday when one of its planes came close to a special aircraft carrying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The IAF denied the AAI claim that the transponder (equipment in the aircraft transmitting data about the location of the plane) of the IAF Dornier aircraft was faulty.
“The transponder of the air force plane was not faulty,” a defence official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The IAF also said it was not responsible for the movement of the aircraft.
“Every thing flying in Delhi’s skies, except birds, comes under the air traffic controller (ATC). The IAF aircraft came near the PM’s plane because of ATC’s instructions,” the official said.
“We take all our instructions regarding height, direction, speed and even call signs from ATC,” he added.
A mid-air security scare occurred Tuesday when a blip or an “unidentified target” was reported on the radar by the Indira Gandhi International airport ATC even as the special aircraft carrying the prime minister was about to land.
An emergency drill was quickly put in place on the ground while the air traffic controllers asked the pilot of the prime minister’s aircraft to hover over Delhi airport for nearly 16 minutes before finally giving clearance for landing.
23/04/08 IANS/Thaindian.com, Thailand

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Categories: Airports Apr 2008, Safety Apr 2008