To meet the rapidly increasing demand for new airports across the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instituted 796 new Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) across different levels since 2022, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) mentioned in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
For the swift operationalization of new airports in India, there has been a corresponding rise in the demand for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs). On this front, the necessity for additional ATCO positions has been regularly assessed with the approval of the Department of Public Enterprises.
It is important to note that, an air traffic controller plays an imperative role in managing the safe and orderly flow of air traffic in controlled airspace and on the ground at airports. Besides, ATCOs provide instructions to pilots to ensure proper separation between aircraft and prevent collisions.
With a crucial role in aviation safety, their primary responsibilities include coordinating takeoffs and landings, providing clearances and instructions to pilots, and ensuring safe distances between aircraft.
Indigenous Air Traffic Management Systems by AAI and BEL
In a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ Initiative, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), under its R&D initiative, joined hands with Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to develop indigenous Air Traffic Management and surface movement of aircraft at airports in the country which were hitherto being imported.
In the agreement which was signed in March last year, BEL and AAI are jointly developing a Civil Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) with an Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS), a complex ground surveillance system that manages air traffic at airports and in Indian Civil Airspace for safe operation of flights from take-off to landing.
The system encompasses multiple, in-house developed technologies, such as Situation Display for Air traffic controllers, Surveillance Data Processing (SDP), Flight Data Processing (FDP), Safety Net and Decision Support (SNET), Control and monitoring Display (CMD), Advanced ASMGCS among others.It helps in increasing capacity with improved safety by reducing controller workload, improving air traffic flow, and minimizing flight delays.