Ministry reduces gap in altitude to fit in more flights

In a move to pack in more flights in Indian airspace, the Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to reduce the minimum difference in altitude b...

In a move to pack in more flights in Indian airspace, the Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to reduce the minimum difference in altitude between two aircraft from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet at heights which are most preferred by cruising jets.

Staring at an internationally agreed deadline of November 27, the Ministry has set about preparing operation procedures for airlines to train their pilots accordingly. At heights above 29,000 feet — which are considered most economical and fuel efficient by airlines — India had been keeping a difference of 2,000 feet between aircraft reduced the capacity of Indian airspace.

It is learnt that while the aviation boom in the West prompted significant technological changes allowing operators to reduce the separation between aircraft, India saw no need to introduce a transition as its old rules were sufficient to handle traffic headed to or across its airspace. But an exponential increase in air traffic between West and South East Asia changed the scenario.

With Indian airspace falling in the East-West axis, sources say, the International Civil Aviation Organisation stepped up efforts at pursuing India to modernise its air traffic management system. As a result, most of Indian airspace is today covered with secondary radars making it possible for aircraft to put the in-flight global positioning system into good use.

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