India approves Flexible Use of Airspace
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NHLAPB to be set up as the first step for implementation of FUA…
The Indian government has approved Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) by civil and military users. The green light was received by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), however the initiative was taken by the Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh.
With the implementation of FUA, there will be a fuel saving of 20,29,380 kg per annum and reduction of carbon dioxide emission by 63,93,600 kg per annum by direct routing between seven city pairs of Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi-Bengaluru, Kolkata-Chennai and Chennai-Mumbai.
The primary objective of FUA is to enhance airspace capacity, minimise delays, fuel conservation, emission reduction and ultimate benefits of travelling public. “Implementation of FUA through efficient civilian military co-ordination is an essential requirement to foster the traffic growth with ultimate benefit to the nation’s economy. FUA permits both military and civil user to efficiently and effectively utilize the available airspace on sharing basis to gain optimum usage, thereby enhancing its capacity, which results into efficient operations. In this model a coordinated procedure between the civil and the military and vice versa, as per need and on a real time basis if it is not being used by the user assigned with the responsibility for its control,” a PIB release said.
As a first step for implementation of the FUA in India, a National High Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) for airspace use, be set up, to take up the job of strategic planning and assess and reassess the national airspace requirements of various stakeholders. It will establish flexible airspace use structure/committee’s and introduce procedures for allocation of these airspace structures. The NHLAPB will be chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation with representation from Ministry of Defence, Indian Air force, Indian Navy, Indian Space Research Organization, Airport Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It can co-opt new members in future depending upon requirement.
The Ministry of Defence has agreed with the proposal for implementation of FUA, subject to ensuring adequate safeguards in the system to prevent inadvertent leak of Military information and dissemination of any information on Military Aviation activities strictly on “need to know” basis.
The airspace of the nation is a finite sovereign asset, which is used by civil, military and aerospace authorities. Flexible utilization of airspace is important from the view point of efficiency of operation, viability of airlines and minimizing damage to environment. This can be achieved by the introduction of the concept of Flexible Use of Airspace.