Government gives go-ahead to hive off ATC services from Airports Authority of India

Mumbai: The government has given its go-ahead to hive off the air traffic control (ATC) services from Airports Authority of India, unlocking the potential to upgrade air traffic control systems in a fast-growing aviation market where safety standards lag behind global benchmarks.

The approval is likely to expedite the process to house ATC services (control of aircraft from the ground and in the air) which mainly include route navigation facilities, terminal navigation and instrument landing under an independent body, allowing AAI to focus on its core function of managing and operating airports.
Aviation experts say independent focus will put the development of air navigation services on a fast-track apart from giving the much-needed fillip to the modernisation of the air traffic control systems and equipment operating at the Indian airports.

The hive off plan stems from the growing belief among the aviation pundits that air traffic and air navigation services are totally different from managing and operating an airport. Air traffic services in developed markets like the US and Europe are kept out of the ambit of airport operations.
27/06/11 Manisha Singhal/Economic Times

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Categories: Airports Jun 2011, New Jun 2011