Mumbai: India's ministries of civil aviation and defence have started testing out a plan which entails commercial airlines using military airspace, till now restricted for civilian use. Passenger airlines can currently operate only in 60% of India's airspace.
If successfully implemented, the flexible use of airspace will lead to airlines taking more direct routes, cutting flight durations by up to a fifth and may lead to fuel cost savings of up to 15% on one flight and 5% annually. So far, SpiceJet, IndiGo and Jet Airways have participated in the test flights.
"Once institutionalised, this will be a win-win-win: Less fuel consumption and emissions which is good for the environment, lower fuel bills for the airlines, and shorter flying times for passengers. We support this initiative fully," said Sanjiv Kapoor, chief operating officer of SpiceJet, which has operated the first test flight.
11/06/15 Anirban Chowdhury/Economic Times
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If successfully implemented, the flexible use of airspace will lead to airlines taking more direct routes, cutting flight durations by up to a fifth and may lead to fuel cost savings of up to 15% on one flight and 5% annually. So far, SpiceJet, IndiGo and Jet Airways have participated in the test flights.
"Once institutionalised, this will be a win-win-win: Less fuel consumption and emissions which is good for the environment, lower fuel bills for the airlines, and shorter flying times for passengers. We support this initiative fully," said Sanjiv Kapoor, chief operating officer of SpiceJet, which has operated the first test flight.
11/06/15 Anirban Chowdhury/Economic Times
