AAI asked to set up separate aerodrome directorate

New Delhi: To enhance aviation safety in the aftermath of the Mangalore air crash, government has set a deadline of June next year for licensing of all airports across the country and directed the Airports Authority of India to set up a separate aerodrom e directorate under it.
These were among a series of decisions taken by the high level Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC), which met here earlier this week. CASAC is headed by Director General of Civil Aviation, Mr SNA Zaidi.
At the meeting held in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, it was also reported that all 11 airports, designated as ‘critical’, have been inspected and their operators directed to comply with safety regulations.
These airports are Agartala, Calicut, Jammu, Kullu, Latur, Leh, Lengpui, Mangalore, Patna, Port Blair and Shimla.
The CASAC also recommended barring pilots, who have tested positive in breath analyser (BA) tests, from becoming Training Captains. It also decided that those Training Captains, having positive BA reports, should be debarred from their positions for thre e years.
The CASAC recommended detailed regulations for temporary authorisation of foreign aircrew, including carrying out detailed background checks and medical standards.
A special drive for licensing of all airports was already underway. While licensing of 16 airports would be completed by November 30, 29 by December end and the rest before June 30, 2011, an official spokesperson said.
In another significant move, the CASAC decided that a Board be set up by DGCA for initial approval, renewal and proficiency of Training Captains and it should also include independent experts.
18/11/10 Business Line

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Categories: Airports Nov 2010