In the world of aviation, ensuring safety and efficiency is paramount. This involves managing air traffic in and around airports and in the airspace, maintaining a safe gap between aircraft on ground and in the air to prevent any unforeseen incidents. Recently, an agreement of national significance was signed that will contribute to this essential aspect of aviation. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), under its R&D initiative, has collaborated with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to develop a home-grown Air Traffic Management System.
About the Recent Agreement
The AAI-BEL agreement aims to build an indigenous Civil Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) equipped with Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS). Primarily a complex ground surveillance system, ASMGCS plays a vital role in managing air traffic at airports and in Indian Civil Airspace. Its primary function is to ensure the safety in operation of flights from take-off to landing.
Air Traffic Management System
Air traffic management constitutes an array of quintessential functions managed mostly by air traffic controllers stationed at the ATC towers. They use advanced technology systems and tools designed specifically for managing air traffic and ensuring a safe distance between all aircraft, whether they are air-borne or grounded. The array of technologies typically employed in air traffic management includes surface movement and surveillance radars, holographic radar, navigation and surveillance systems, communication control systems, flight data information display equipment, and much more.
Key Objectives of the Agreement
This agreement between AAI and BEL will serve multiple crucial purposes. It will leverage the complementary strengths of both enterprises and enable them to address airport modernization opportunities more effectively. Besides enhancing safety measures, the agreement will also ensure efficient management of operations at the airport and in Indian airspace by maintaining separation between multiple aircraft.
The agreement will be key in upgrading the Air Navigation Services (ANS) Infrastructure systematically, efficiently, and cost-effectively. It aligns with the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ mission of the Government of India and will decrease AAI’s dependency on foreign sources for procurement of ANS infrastructure.
Impact of the Agreement
The implications of this pact extend beyond maintaining safety in airports and aircraft. It signifies a step toward self-reliance in the aviation sector in line with the government’s ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ mission. It will facilitate a cost-effective upgrade of the ANS Infrastructure and will reduce unnecessary dependency on foreign providers, bolstering India’s position in the global aviation industry. The agreement serves as a testament to the potential success of cooperation between public sector enterprises in achieving goals of national importance.
