AAI plans a ₹15,000 Cr tech revamp to boost aviation safety, replacing unreliable communication systems with modern global standards.
After a technical issue led airlines to postpone or cancel hundreds of flights at the Delhi airport earlier this month, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to invest approximately ₹15,000 crore over the next five years to enhance surveillance and navigational systems.
The money will be used to upgrade outdated technologies that controllers use to communicate with pilots and to construct new air traffic control towers across the nation. Additionally, the state-run airport operator would spend money on technologies to collect more precise weather data.
An official noted that after compiling data on technologies nearing the end of their operational lifespan, the AAI will initiate tenders, select suppliers, and complete staff training. The goal is to have new systems installed before the current ones become obsolete, replacing the previous improvised strategy.
At the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, a malfunction in the Automatic Messaging Switching System (AMSS) on 6 November seriously hampered the transmission and reception of aeronautical messages, including flight schedules, departure and arrival information, cancellation and delay messages, and meteorological data.
At the busiest aviation hub in India, controllers had to manually follow up with airlines and confirm flight plans before approving takeoff, landing, or overflying because the system eventually stopped working. Over 300 flights were cancelled as a result of the system’s severe slowdown.
In August, a Parliamentary Standing Committee issued a warning about performance degradation, including slowness and system lag, in surveillance and communication systems at major airports such as Delhi and Mumbai, which has a direct impact on operational efficiency and safety.
“India’s automation systems must align with global benchmarks, particularly the European and American standards,” the panel stated.
According to officials, AAI is working to replace the outdated technology with the most recent Automatic Messaging Handling technology (AMHS) by January. AMHS is regarded as more dependable and can process more messages per hour.
Frquentis, an Austrian business, is installing the system. After the hardware installation is finished, controllers will be trained, and about 80 airports will be connected to the network.
“The procedure was meant to be operational by May 2025; however, it has been postponed. However, it required time for AAI and the vendor company to agree on key procedures. According to the source, AAI has now instructed Frequentis, the vendor, to finish the installation by January.
In order to expedite controller training in light of the nation’s increasing air traffic, AAI has also developed plans to expand the teaching facilities at its civil aviation training institution in Allahabad.
SOURCE – ECONOMIC TIMES
