Season’s
Greetings from New Delhi. It has been long gap since I reached you all
through one of my most favourite professional site “Club Control Tower”.
There have been lot much turmoil during this period in civil avia
tion
sector and it had had its fatal share world over in aviation economy.
Many airlines have sunk already and many are facing rough waters in
their efforts for survival. Main adverse impact has been due to steep
rise in ATF price and it has taken its toll in Indian scenario. Our flag
carrier Air India (NACIL) has been facing its worst days and is
struggling hard to sustain its status with the support from government
which is seen coming in generously with due care in view of its impact
on other airlines which have been also facing similar situation in
struggle for their survival with similar stories to tell.
The business in
civil aviation sector has seen many ups and downs but we in AAI have
been making continual improvements in equipping ourselves with up to
date technology with automation for efficient handling of air traffic
with projected record growth witnessed during the turn of century. As
you may be already aware, AAI has upgraded its system at IGI airport and
CSI airport with Auto-track III version provided by Raytheon and is
awaiting final checks for implementation. Brand new updated systems are
installed at Bengaluru and Hyderabad international airports and
controllers have also been trained with international and onsite
exposures. In similar efforts, Automation has been put in place already
at Kolkata, Chennai, Varanasi, Nagpur, Ahmedabad etc. with the help of
ECIL’s support with FDPS and RDPS updates and has been quite useful to
controllers in handling traffic with the help of such modern systems.
Kolkata and Chennai will soon have turnkey project with full-fledged new
automation system with ASMGCS. Mumbai is awaiting installation of its
long overdue ASMGCS for installation and is hoped to be operational
before winters. It may be seen that AAI has been constantly been
progressive in its commitment for providing the system which will help
us in enhancing our capacity with ease of operation at all airports
facing congestion. Kochi and Amritsar will soon have RADAR to cope up
with traffic demands for efficient handling. Efforts are also on for
integrating our RADAR systems for best utilisation.
We have been
facing shortage of controllers and over 300 controllers were recruited
during last year but around 70 have left and preferred to join other
organisations viz. BSNL due to their own preferences mostly be
cause of
nature of duties and financial considerations. We are currently going
through recruitment process of 68 Manager (ATC) level followed by
additional strength of 200 JETs. There have been always efforts with a
concern of adding good number to our strength to fill up the gaps in
strength to have an ease in operation all over India. However, such
efforts have been facing onslaught resulting in increase in the gap due
to more and more work-stations required with upgrades in technology. I
think that we need to be aware of these facts so that we could apply our
mind in the best manner in balancing our performances and expectations
especially with career progression and professional satisfaction. We
need to have clear thinking in terms of our skill, performance and
expectations from the industry for optimum output in view of expected
customer satisfaction, a need of the hour worldwide. We have also
projected short term and long term man-power requirements with
up-gradations in technology and expansion planning.
Recently, we
have gone through an exercise of revision of our rating allowances which
has been carefully been undertaken to give best benefit to controllers
with a rider of stress factor with a hope that it would compensate and
benefit our ATCOs to a large extent. In return, we expect all the
controllers to perform in their best as far as need of the hour is
concerned. The landing interval has been brought down to 5 miles as
against earlier one of 8 mile giving a great relief to airlines and
passengers who have to be happy and satisfied with our actions and
efforts. We have to rise to occasion in their expectation with more
efficient performances at par with other busy international airports and
I for one have always been confident about it with adequate improvement
in ground infrastructure. Indian controllers have proved to be capable
of performing their best if they decide to do so and our capabilities
have also been rated and acknowledged so by international experts during
such references. What we need to be careful of is the tendency for
lethargy creeping in performances of few of us after passage of sometime
which is highlighted and pointed out as deficiency by auditors. I am of
the firm view that this situation can be avoided once we view it within
ourselves at appropriate middle or senior level to scrutinise the
activities and come forward in assisting those who could have fallen in
sleep mode without their realisation about such happenings around. I am
not only confident but sure that once we get into such audit mode with
our self introspection, we would overcome any problems that may be
encountered.
It is
encouraging to hear that few advanced countries have been showing
interest in having Indian controllers with them to help them in their
demanding situations and our controllers have stood up to their
expectation thereby, creating a definite high reputation in the global
scenario. Let us not forget that such reputations are achieved only
after sustained performances and take time. Let us pledge to maintain
high standards in our expertise in order to maintain the image that we
have amongst world fraternity with pride in the most befitting manner
professionally.
May God bless
us all with good health, wisdom and prosperity with continued zeal to
serve better and better.
Vinod K. Yadava
