One airspace: India set in motion a plan to unify its airspace under a single command
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.»
Will Also Help Pilots
Pilots said this will also reduce their workload inside the cockpit as they wouldn't need to change radio frequencies
