Mumbai: The ANS (Air Navigation Services) Corporation will soon break away from its mother organisation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), putting India in the same bracket as countries like Canada and Australia, which have a similar system. The plan to hive off the ANS, which has been in the pipeline for several years now, is expected to be announced on Independence day by prime minister Narendra Modi.
If sources are to be believed, the ANS will initially be hived off as a subsidiary of the AAI for a period of 3 years. The Air Traffic Control (ATC), which co-ordinates the traffic, and the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance wing (CNS), which provides infrastructure, will be the main constituents of ANS Corporation, along with support staff from HR and finance.
Aviation ministry insiders say that the idea behind the move is to give better air navigation services to airlines. "In many countries like Canada and Australia, ANS services are provided by a separate organisation, while the airport infrastructure is provided by the airport operator, thereby increasing the focus and efficiency of both institutions," said a senior AAI official.
05/08/14 Shahkar Abidi/Dailhy News & Analysis
