AAI Issues Revised SOP for Enhanced Air Traffic Management

Mumbai: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken decisive steps to reinforce air traffic control (ATC) protocols at Mumbai airport, reissuing a circular mandating strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP) governing the separation of aircraft during landing and take-off. This initiative follows a recent safety breach where an IndiGo aircraft landed just after an Air India plane began its take-off on the same runway.

Preliminary investigations into the incident indicated a lapse in adhering to the revised SOP for Time Based Spacing between arrivals at Mumbai airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an inquiry into the matter to ascertain the sequence of events and any procedural deviations.

Unlike distance-based separation used at most airports, Mumbai employs time-based separation, which calculates the temporal gap required for arriving aircraft to cross the runway threshold safely. This method, while optimizing runway capacity, demands precise decisions from ATC personnel, particularly when managing unexpected delays or deviations from standard procedures.

The AAI’s circular, reissued this week, underscores the criticality of upholding these SOPs, which were updated in 2023 to enhance operational efficiency and safety. It mandates controllers to intervene promptly if any departure from prescribed procedures is observed, including issuing missed approach instructions to arriving aircraft or holding departing flights.

“In scenarios where SOP provisions are compromised, controllers are instructed to prioritize safety by instructing missed approaches for arrivals and holding departures,” the circular stated, emphasizing the necessity for swift and decisive action in critical moments.

The incident involving the Air India and IndiGo aircraft highlights the complexities inherent in managing air traffic, where split-second decisions by ATCs can mitigate potential risks and ensure seamless operations. By reinforcing these protocols, AAI aims to bolster safety standards and maintain smooth air traffic flow at one of India’s busiest airports.

This proactive stance by AAI underscores its commitment to aviation safety amidst evolving operational challenges, aligning with global standards while addressing specific needs of Mumbai’s airspace management.