UAH to help reduce fuel cost, distance

The much awaited Upper Airspace Harmonisation (UAH), which has started operations in air traffic control of NSC Bose International Airport here, will help in reducing fuel costs and bring down distance between air-routes in domestic sector.
UAH was successfully launched since yesterday and is part of safety and air navigation services improvement, Airports Authority of India officials said today.
"The upper airspace harmonisation will enable in reducing fuel cost and also bring down distance between air-routes in domestic sector as it will directly connect the air routes," said S Bhaduri, Regional Executive director, Kolkata, Airports Authority of India.
It will bring improvement in Air Tarffic Maintenance (ATM) operational efficiency, safety of aircraft operations, fuel efficiency and savings in operating cost for airlines, and reduction in pilot/controller workload, AAI officials said.

UAH includes state-of-the-art integrated ATS automation system, integration of multiple radar and ADS-B sensors, airspace restructuring with multiple sectors and remote operation of VHF from Kolkata using IP-based voice communication control system, the national airports body said.
AAI has already successfully implemented this concept in Chennai FIR, which is part of its initiative towards establishing a single continuum of upper airspace, 26,000 ft and above, it said.

This will facilitate uniform application of separation standards and procedures with significant benefits including enhanced safety and operational efficiency, AAI said.
The integrated automation system provides adequate safety nets in the form of conflict alerts, minimum safe altitude warning to the controller, advanced decision support tools and improved HMI enabling faster decision-making and conflict resolution by the controller.

Integration of nine radars of different manufacturers and eight ADS-B located across the region into the automation system has been completed and the surveillance picture of all aircraft in the eastern region is seen at Kolkata ATC centre.
Also, the installation of ADS-B has already been completed by AAI at 21 sites to complement the existing network of radars for ensuring seamless surveillance across the entire continental and oceanic airspace, AAI added.