NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Friday approved the setting up of a high-level committee to implement flexible use of airspace (FUA), which would result in significant saving of aviation fuel, reduction in pollution and minimize delays for airline passengers. It would also help improve air traffic management, especially to avoid incidents of mid-air scares involving military and civil aircraft.
"The primary objective of FUA is to enhance airspace capacity, minimize delays, fuel conservation, emission reduction and ultimate benefits to traveling public," the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
The approval for the long pending demand from the civil aviation sector came after several years of wrangling between the Indian Air Force and the civilian establishment. "With the implementation of flexible use of airspace, there will be a fuel saving of 20,29,380 kg per annum and reduction of carbon dioxide emission by 63,93,600 kg per annum by direct routing between seven city pairs of Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi- Begaluru, Kolkata-Chennai and Chennai-Mumbai," the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
Now, the military controls around 65% of the airspace, and the civil aviation authorities have access to 35%. In recent times, however, there have been several initiatives that the military has taken to accommodate demands of the burgeoning civil aviation market. As a result, several IAF controlled air bases have been made available for civil aviation including international flights, and airspace above Hindon airfield near Delhi and some other busy cities are now available to civil aircraft with minimal restrictions.
As a first step towards FUA, a National High Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) would be set up, the CCS decided. Friday's move to set up the Authority would hugely upgrade Indian airspace management, officials said.
The NHLAPB will be chaired by secretary, ministry of civil aviation with representatives from ministry of defence, IAF, Navy, Indian Space Research Organization, Airport Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The MoD agreed with the proposal, subject to ensuring adequate safeguards to prevent inadvertent leak of military information. It also is insisting that dissemination of any information on military aviation activities should be strictly on "need to know" basis.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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