AAI inks pact with US agency to prepare modernisation roadmap

In a major development in India’s aviation sector, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has signed an agreement with the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for developing a roadmap of modernisation of its air traffic services, the official said on Monday.

The pact, which was inked on November 16, include air traffic management (ATM) and communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS).

According to the official report, the collaboration is aimed to improve airspace utilisation and to advance the safety and effectiveness of the National Airspace System (NAS).

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“We have entered into a grant agreement with USTDA, under which Boeing will provide the technical know-how to develop a future roadmap for smoother and efficient skies,” said AAI chairman Dr Gurupradas Mohapatra.

“USTDA is pleased to partner with AAI and Boeing on improving safety and reducing congestion for flights in India. At the same time, this project will create market access for high quality US exports that can advance India’s aviation goals,” USTDA Acting Director Thomas R Hardy said.

Under the newly signed pact, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing will provide technical assistance which will create a roadmap to enhance communications, expand existing systems and airspace capacity, and invest in navigation and surveillance/air traffic management, it said.

Mohapatra also said, “India recently celebrated 50 consecutive months of double-digit growth which is still continuing,” adding, “The double-digit growth in air passenger traffic over the last 49 months has brought several challenges with it, including maintaining safe and efficient aircraft operations.”

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In this backdrop, it was decided to draw a robust roadmap for sustained ANS infrastructure to meet the growth challenges in a planned way, Mohapatra said.

According to the release, utilising global and regional best practices as a benchmark, the technical help will recommend a roadmap and implementation plan to the AAI for improving airspace utilisation and implement CNS/ATM air and ground equipage in the short, medium and long-term (up to 10 years).

(With PTI inputs)