Dedicated helicopter corridors at Mumbai,Delhi airports soon

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to introduce dedicated corridors at the Delhi and Mumbai airports to ensure safe and efficient operations of helicopters. As a large number of helicopters operate within the control zone of Mumbais Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport,Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport and Juhu Airfield which lies within the Control zone of Mumbai for oil exploration,tourism and corporate and business purposes,the air safety regulator decided to start a separate air corridor. The helicopter industry had earlier complained that the operations get delayed due to air traffic congestion at these airports.

The move,in line with the recommendations of the Kaw Committee,also takes into account the short endurance of helicopters,promotion of the industry and the requirements for safe operations.

For this purpose,the DGCA had asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to design the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) for helicopter routings. Based on suggestions received from various stakeholders,the routes were modified to facilitate the operations and ensure air safety.

DGCA has already conducted the flying trials in the Mumbai and Delhi regions. AAI has been intimated to promulgate these VFR Helicopter routings and the regulator is likely to notify the guidelines soon.