Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Flights at Chennai airport can now use defence airspace, save time, fuel

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:05.12.2020

Flying in and out of the city will now be hassle-free for pilots and help airlines save fuel and time as Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the defence ministry have set up a mechanism to use defence airspace for commercial flights.

Until now, at Chennai airport, part of the airspace was controlled by the Indian Air Force (IAF) station at Tambaram and INS Rajali in Arakkonam, where civilian aircraft were usually not allowed.

On Wednesday, as part of a national initiative under National High-Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) to promote flexi use of airspace; the AAI established at Chennai airport a Regional Airspace Management Cell (RAMC) comprising AAI and defence air traffic controllers.

It will be operational on a 12-hour basis on all working days except for public holidays, said an AAI official.

The quick coordination will result in dynamic flight planning for airline operators, reduced fuel consumption and operating cost, with consequent reduction in carbon footprint, he said. It will help the airport manage air congestion efficiently, with flights not requiring to take detours to avoid defence airspace.

AAI had planned to implement flexi use of airspace on a dozen domestic routes to help reduce travelling distance ranging from five nautical miles to 98 nautical miles. Similarly, the travelling time for passengers will also come down by up to 15 minutes, said the official.

A National Airspace Management Cell (NAMC) was set up in Delhi some time ago with a plan to have many RAMCs. The cell in Chennai is the second regional cell after the NAMC and RAMC in Delhi.

It was inaugurated by R Madhavan, regional executive director, southern region, AAI, in the presence of senior officials from AAI, IAF and other civil and military agencies.