Modernization of Airspace management in India is one key step that India is equipping with through its ‘One Sky’ programme. This panoramic reform will be carried out with the purpose of uniting the airspace that is now divided under a single national system of air traffic control, which will bring a lot of advantages to both air carriers and passengers meanwhile the whole aviation sector will grow.
In India, the aerodrome with an airspace of 2.8 million square nautical miles consists of four very important regional control centers, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. The area of airspace that is attributed to each region is managed individually by authorities under this region’s own boundaries. On the other hand, the hub and spoke system was changed to the hubless system in order to perform better in the increasing air traffic but has currently become inefficient due to the increasing air traffic.
Coordinating flights moving between different regions involves complex communication procedures. Airplanes often have to change radio frequencies while crossing boundaries, increasing workload for pilots. Regional controllers also need to coordinate closely for flights entering or leaving their airspace.
This causes delays and makes routes less direct than optimal. Airlines end up burning more fuel than needed while passengers have to endure longer flight times. To address these challenges, the government is now consolidating control of the entire airspace under a single command center.
As per reports, the Airports Authority of India has started working to implement an advanced air traffic management system powered by latest technology. This will be controlled from a unified center proposed to be located in Nagpur.
Once complete, the new ‘One Sky’ policy is projected to streamline flight operations tremendously. With a single authority managing airspace as one block, airplanes can follow more direct routes without boundaries.
Controllers will no longer need to coordinate between regions, reducing workload. Pilots will get advance information on optimal altitudes and routes, cutting radio calls. All these changes are expected to improve safety while saving costs.
Estimates suggest airlines may save millions of dollars annually on fuel by flying shorter distances at higher altitudes. Travel times for passengers will also come down as flights become more point-to-point instead of following current longer paths.
The shift promises significant economic and environmental benefits. By making up to 30% of India’s airspace available for civilian use, the initiative could lower aviation emissions substantially. This ‘green’ impact is crucial for the sector’s sustainable growth.
Overall, the One Sky project aligns well with India’s rising global status as a major aviation market. By overhauling outdated systems, the country is preparing its skies for greater traffic of the future. A unified management approach will help maximize efficiencies as the sector continues its impressive growth trajectory.
Once completed after several years, the transformed airspace is sure to make flying smoother and more convenient for all. It will cement India’s position as an emerging aviation powerhouse in the coming decades.
