The Hindu Business Line : Australian co to suggest ways for optimal airstrip usage

NEW DELHI: India has hired an Australia aviation services firm to carry out simulation studies for efficient management of airspace and runway capacities at Delhi and Mumbai airports.

AirServices Australia will also suggest ways to upgrade ground operational infrastructure. It will submit a report within two months.

"By October, we hope to reduce runway occupancy time so that more flights can be accommodated every hour," said Mr K Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI). And by December, he said, Delhi will have two runways - one for takeoffs and one for landings. In Mumbai, the two runways are cross-shaped. Again, one will be used for takeoffs and the other for landings.

Mr Ramalingam said that the AAI is also considering whether to have specified timings for helicopters, turbo-props and general aviation (corporate) jets. Eventually, airlines - especially the upstart low-cost carriers - will also be encouraged to use sec ondary airports.

Delhi and Mumbai are the country's busiest, accounting for 49 per cent of passenger traffic and 59 per cent of cargo traffic. Mumbai handled 13.3 million passengers last year and Delhi about 10.5 million.

With the number of air passengers jumping rapidly and a dozen more new domestic airlines planning to start operations over the next one-year, there is an urgent need to redesign airstrip management.

The Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel said the air traffic controls (ATCs) in Delhi and Mumbai are recruiting 100 more personnel to improve system efficiencies. - UNI

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