Flexibility in use of airspace likely

Chennai: The Ministries of Civil Aviation and Defence are currently working out a system to introduce more flexibility in the use of airspace around the country. The first-of-its-kind arrangement, which will be introduced for the first time in Chennai on a trial basis, will allow commercial aircraft to chalk out routes through so far restricted zones and is expected to significantly ease air traffic congestion around India’s crowded metro airports.
A co-ordinating centre will be set up in Chennai that will be in constant communication with defence bases in Tambaram, Sulur near Coimbatore, Hakimpet in Andhra Pradesh and Yelahanka in Karnataka to work out more flexible arrangements for sharing airspace based on the short-term requirements of both civil and defence operations.
Around 35 per cent of airspace in the country is currently under the control of the Ministry of Defence and restricted from civilian use. With a booming aviation industry growing at close to 30 per cent, the Ministry of Civil Aviation believes it requires more airspace to decongest airports as well as introduce new routes.
01/05/08 Ananth Krishnan/The Hindu

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Categories: Airports May 2008, Indian Aviation- In General May 2008