A feature report released by Ministry of Civil Aviation
October 19, 2007
Airspace Management
Being situated at a very strategic geographical location at the confluence of ATS routes connecting major destinations in east, south -east and western parts of the world, the Indian airspace has become a vital link to the smooth flow of traffic between these two major blocks of airspace.
The 6 million sq. km. of airspace under the jurisdiction of India includes huge oceanic airspace to the extent of 3.8 million sq.km. in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean. The entire airspace is managed through four FIRs (Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi & Kolkata). Eighty-nine international ATS routes and 110 domestic routes have been established to provide efficient connectivity to various international and domestic destinations out of which 31 ATS routes are RNP- 10 routes.
Under the aegis of the ICAO, the international ATS route structure between airports in South and South East Asia and Europe via India and the Middle East was restructured in November 2002 under the EMARSSH (Europe, Middle East, Asia revised Route Structure South of Himalayas) project. Under this project, the ATS route structure through Indian FIRs were also realigned and multiple parallel ATS routes, which provide most optimum and cost efficient routes in terms of distance and fuel to the airlines.
Subsequently, a RVSM has been implemented throughout Indian FIRs in November 2003, through which six additional flight levels are made available. Implementation of multiple parallel routes followed by RVSM implementation has significantly enhanced the operational efficiency and savings in fuel and time.
In order to further improve the route structure and enhance the airspace capacity, five new ATS route segments were implemented in the year 2006, enabling airlines to choose optimum routes and levels to achieve cost-efficient operations.
Air Traffic Management
Eleven Terminal Control Areas, eight Approach Control Units and 133 control towers have been established for the efficient provision of air traffic services. Eight Terminal Approach Radars and 16 Enroute Radars cover the major portion of the continental airspace under radar cover. Oceanic airspace in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean are under ADS surveillance complemented with CPDLC, CNS/ATM services are provided at:
- 14 International airports
- 2 Joint venture airports
- 8 Customs airports
- 24 Civil enclaves *(limited to CNS facilities only)
- 79 Domestic airports
- 6 Other airports
In 2006-07, India handled 1,253,635 aircraft movements (arrival and departures) at various airports and provided en-route service to 1,640,674 aircraft through Indian FIRs.
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International Domestic Total |
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Year mln. % growth mln. %growth mln. %growth |
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2003-04 0.13619 17.0 0.5052 13.7 0.6414 14.4 |
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2004-05 0.16327 19.9 0.5543 9.7 0.7176 11.9 |
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2005-06 0.19087 16.9 0.6475 16.8 0.8384 16.8 |
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2006-07 0.21552 12.9 0.8599 32.8 1.0755 28.3 |
There has been a phenomenal rate of traffic growth in terms of aircraft movement in the recent past.
Augmentation of ATM infrastructure
In order to cope with the sudden and unprecedented growth of traffic in the recent past and to meet the growing demand in an effective manner, India has taken up various measures to upgrade or augment the CNS/ATM infrastructure and airspace capacity enhancement programme to deal with sustained growth efficiently and safety. Some of the salient features are given below:-
- Installation of additional new radars to fill the gaps in radar cover and networking of all radars to provide an integrated seamless radar picture to various centers/sectors.
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Networking of VHF and HF Tx/Rx to ensure uninterrupted Direct Pilot-Controller communication throughout FIRs. Data-link capabilities also will be provided to improve communication capabilities.
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Dedicated Satellite Communication Network (DSCN) based on VSAT technology, connecting 80 airports for voice and data communication.
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Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS) at Mumbai to handle ground sub-network of Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN), in accordance with the ICAO Regional Plan.
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Networking of all DATIS (28) to enable download of terminal information of any airport through data communication.
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Implementation of RNAV/RNP procedures at all airports in a phased manner commencing with the Mumbai and Delhi airports.
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Under the GNSS Programme, an Indian SBAS named ‘GAGAN’ (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is under implementation. A Technology Demonstration System (TDS) has been installed and a Final Operating System (FOP) is likely to be available by 2010.
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A Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) is under implementation at the Delhi and Mumbai airports. Sectorisation will be done based on the traffic flow and route structure. Sector jurisdiction, lateral and vertical, will be planned and implemented according to the traffic requirements.
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Amalgamation of 11 ACCs into four main centers with multiple sectors, equipped with an integrated ATS automation system comprising data processing systems, display units, controller tools, safety nets, etc
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All control towers shall also be equipped with a modern ATS automation system comprising data processors, display units, controller tools and safety nets to improve operational efficiency and safety.
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Implementation of Central Flow Management system.
New Initiative
Keeping in view the unprecedented traffic growth at present and also in future, a
high-level committee has been set up by the Government of India to formulate a next-generation, futuristic Air Navigation Services Master Plan. The committee shall examine/review the following aspects with a view to formulate the Air Navigation Services Master Plan and make appropriate recommendations thereafter;
- Assessment of Air Navigation Services (ANS) in the country based on the requirements specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the Global and Regional Air Navigational Plans.
- Assessment of weather workstations based on the standards and recommended practices prescribed by the ICAO.
- Recommend a futuristic Master Plan of Air Navigation Services based on the latest technologies in the field and the forecast of the future requirements.
- Recommend ways and means of harmonization of ANS in the country with the ANS systems of other countries/regions.
