AAI in pact with US agency to prepare modernisation roadmap

State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) has inked an agreement with the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to develop a roadmap for modernisation of its air traffic services.

Air traffic services (ATS) comprises air traffic management (ATM) and communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS).

The pact was signed on November 16, an official release said Monday.

The collaboration is aimed at developing a CNS/ATM roadmap for the AAI for modernisation of the national airspace system (NAS), the release said.

Under the 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 CNS/ATM facilities, it added.

"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 Gurupradas Mohapatra, chairman, AAI.

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, he said.

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 added.

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).

"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," said Thomas R Hardy, Acting Director, USTDA.