Govt asks Mumbai airport to tackle congestion
₹1.8 lakh for a 40-minute circling time to ₹2.6 lakh for 60 minutes. This not only increases airfares for customers but also affects the efficiency of airport operations, resulting in long wait times and delays, the ministry added.
As per an analysis by the Airport Authority of India, air traffic allowed per hour during the six hours of High Intensity Runway Operations (HIRO, i.e. from 0800 hours to 1100 hours and 1700 hours to 2000 hours) is nearly the same as during the other 18 hours of the day, with unrestricted operations for general aviation and military aircraft.
This, coupled with the operation of non-scheduled flights, exacerbates congestion during peak hours. Despite the feedback, no action was taken and the ministry had “to step in", leading to the issuance of directives on 2 January 2024, by the Airport Authority of India, being the air navigation service provider.
These directives restricted air traffic movements during HIRO from 46 to 44 per hour and outside HIRO from 44 to 42 per hour, with curbs also placed on general aviation during HIRO. The ministry has urged Mumbai airport to ensure compliance with these restrictions, aiming to balance the needs of airport operators, airlines, and passengers, enhancing airspace safety, operational efficiency, and passenger satisfaction.Milestone Alert!
Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world
