Considering the exponential traffic growth and the fact that the country requires a futuristic Master Plan for Air Navigation Services that would operate automatically, Airports Authority of India was entrusted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the responsibility of upgrading ANS infrastructure in the country with substantial success. The ANS improvements based on a five-pronged strategy of upgrading infrastructure, procedures, training and embarking upon research and development have led to significant user benefits in terms of direct routing, fuel saving and reduction in emission. Some of the achievements of ANS are as under:
ANS initiatives have benefitted the Aviation Industry through enhanced Safety and Efficiency in general and in particular, the Airlines through Fuel Saving & Reduced Aircraft infringement Rates, the Passengers through Improved On Time Performance and the Environment through Reduced carbon emission.
ANS improvements have achieved substantial benefits in terms of Fuel Saving & Emission Reduction and significant International Recognition for AAl as a major ANSP in the Region. The prestigious International Jane's ATC Award for the year 2014 & 2012 and the twin ATC Global Awards in 2013 are a fitting testimony for our continuing excellence in Air Navigation Services, raft infringement Rates, the Passengers through Improved On-Time Performance and the Environment through reduced carbon emission.
AAI driven by its commitment towards enhanced Safety of Aircraft operations particularly in the crucial phase approach to Land , has taken up the challenge of implementing Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) ahead of many major ANSPs in the world . GBAS will provide CAT-l landing minima alternative to Instrument Landing System and is expected to support CAT-Ill operations in the foreseeable future.
AAI as ANSP, responsible for provision of Air Navigation Sen/ices in the delegated airspace, has embarked upon CNS / ATM infrastructure up-gradation with the objective of ensuring safety, efficiency, cost-effectiveness of aircraft operations with environmental benefits on a long-term and sustainable basis.
India is one of the few ANSPs to confidently transit towards the latest -surveillance technology called ADSB. ADS-B has been successfully installed at 21 locations and the data has been integrated with the ATM Automation Systems at the concerned ATC Centers. Implementation of ADS-B required conviction and earnest desire from AAI to provide the best possible surveillance technology for all the stakeholders with substantial benefits.
Given that Automation is the mainstay in ATM for handling the growing traffic, AAl's massive steps to install ATM automation at all medium and major center's
- have led to enhanced Safety and operational efficiency apart from assuaging the stress levels of the Controllers. ATM Automation System provides the Controllers Conflict prediction/Alert warnings and decision making tools, permitting Safe and efficient Air Traffic Control
Considering the International East-west traffic Flow across our huge airspace Harmonization of upper airspace has been taken up in India to ensure that airspace is structured as a continuum, free from operational discontinuities inconsistencies and differing rules and procedures. It would also facilitate Flexible Use of Airspace and better utilization of data
Transition from Voice to Data link communication in addition to the VHF network has ensured that ATC Pilot communication is uninterrupted across every inch of the huge airspace under our control.
AIDC implementation across the country and adjacent states leading to reduction in Controller Workload and improved operational efficiency. The implementation required successful resolution of many Technical issues arising from integration of n Systems at various airports in the country
India's foray into Satellite Based Navigation through GAGAN would enable Indian sub-continent to meet international obligations for Performance Based Navigation, apart from redefining navigation capability across the Asia Pacific Region and being an enabler for Seamless Navigation
Considering the inherent safety in PBN procedures, required impetus has been given to the PBN implementation strategy in line with ICAO Regional Implementation Plan. from increasing operational efficiency, safety and capacity of airspace, Apart another important step the PB Implementation of FUA is which will supplement the initiatives taken by AAl towards enhancing capacity of the airspace and facilitating optimum flight profile for the aircraft
Keenness to take the leadership role in the Asia Pacific Region has enabled India to contribute to International Civil Aviation Organization through its presence in many of the international and regional Working Groups/sub-groups and presentation of important Technical Working papers in the entire ICAC meeting
With the objective of Global harmonization, India is leapfrogging to take up Implementation of Air Traffic flow Management, which is essential to balance the anticipated Growth in Traffic and capacity of airspace/airports with enhanced safety, efficiency and environmental benefits. Implementation of Air Traffic flow Management has been taken up clearly ahead of many ANSPs in the world vindicating India's commitment to successfully manage demand vs. capacity in traffic and further interface with emerging ATFM systems across the region towards regional harmonization.