NEW DELHI: India has set in motion a plan to unify its airspace under a single command to cut emissions, reduce costs for airlines and improve safety by reducing the workload of air traffic controllers and pilots.
When implemented, airspace over India and the adjoining oceanic areas covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles - now divided into four regions - will be controlled from Nagpur, senior officials said, asking not to be named.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has floated a tender seeking to appoint a consultant for the initiative to obtain technology from global companies for the single air traffic management process. The full programme, including setting up infrastructure, training controllers and migration to a new system, will take up to eight years, according to the officials. Implementing the single airspace strategy will allow carriers to determine the most optimal routes, saving time and fuel. Planes can fly more consistently at higher altitudes, burning less fuel, and descend more efficiently and smoothly to land.
"Currently, when an aircraft passes over the Indian region, the controllers have to hand it over to the other region, which includes a lot of coordination especially over busier air routes," said a senior air traffic control official. "Once a single unified sky is achieved, almost 75-80% of controllers will be based in Nagpur, reducing the need for coordination, leading to less stress and fatigue. Single coordination also allows restructuring of air routes, opening up more fuel-efficient routes for airlines."
"You get to know your altitude, routing well in advance and if you are flying above 25,000 feet, you can overfly with complete radio silence without seeking multiple clearances and reducing communication with the ATC (air traffic control)," a senior commander said, asking not to be named.
The move to increase airspace efficiency comes amid record plane orders placed by Indian carriers, which expect a jump in demand for air travel. According to civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the number of Indian aircraft has increased by 75% since FY14 and is likely to double to 1,500 in the next five years.
Considering the complexity and magnitude of the task, the AAI had already started work in a phased manner and, as a first step, restructured the Chennai region in 2004. Following that, the Northeast was integrated into the Kolkata region in 2021.
Navigation over Indian airspace is controlled by the AAI which, over the past few years, has invested heavily in modernising technology, including radar equipment.
In 2018, India mandated modern automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transponders for aircraft operating on most routes. These continuously transmit the identity, location, altitude and velocity of the aircraft, leading to better monitoring.
"Over the last few years, all radars have been upgraded and most to those with Mode-S, which employ modern technologies," said a senior AAI official. "Further, with the use of ADS-B, the majority of the airspace has come under reliable surveillance coverage. Along with the enhanced coverage of surveillance, all area control centres have modern automation systems, which can integrate surveillance feed from a number of sources."
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