The Hindu Business Line : New system to ease air traffic congestion on the cards

The authority plans to implement a system that could ease the congestion in the skies. The AAI plans to introduce Standard Instrument Departure or SID and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes or STAR—which is being followed at several international airports — before the end of 2008. The new system would enable airlines to take an available shorter route for departure and arrival in case there is congestion in the designated route, according to Mr M.G. Junghare, Head of Air Traffic Control (Western Region).

Inadequate infrastructure

Currently, all major airports in the country are facing acute problems on account of inadequate infrastructure leading to air traffic congestion. This, in turn, leads to airlines burning precious fuel, putting added pressure on their operating costs.

A two-hour journey between Mumbai and Delhi can stretch indefinitely as the aircraft awaits clearance from ATC for landing. Similarly, incidents of aircraft waiting for long time before take off are also frequent at the airports, especially Mumbai and Delhi.

Cost savings

A senior pilot from a private carrier told Business Line that a narrow body aircraft wastes $4,500 worth of fuel for every hour that it hovers around in the sky. A wide body aircraft wastes about $6,000 worth of fuel for the same period that it is hauled up before landing.

“The move to implement SID and STAR will help the airlines save Rs 25,000 on aviation turbine fuel or ATF per 52 nautical miles,” Mr Junghare told a conference organised by Mumbai International Airport on the occasion of World Environment Day. One nautical mile is equivalent to 1.8 km.

He said, this concept does not exist currently in India but ATC is trying its best to implement it within this year.

Currently, ATF accounts for 40 per cent of the total operating cost of Indian carriers. Last week, the oil companies increased the price of ATF by 18.5 per cent, which has further added to the airlines’ burden.

Related Stories:
How India’s airlines can save fuel and their industry
Airlines make the most of lower fuel cost at Hyderabad airport

More Stories on : Petroleum | Airlines

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page