A recent audit by a United Nations (UN) team found out that the number of working hours put in by the Indian Air Traffic Controllers was lesser than the world average.
While Juhu airport is in the news for shutting operations 90 minutes before the normal closure time due to shortage of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs), it has also come to the fore at the same time that the number of working hours put in by ATCOs in India is far lesser than the global average.
A recent audit by a United Nations (UN) team found out that the number of working hours put in by the Indian Air Traffic Controllers was lesser than the world average. Following that, the Airport Authority of India (AAI), which runs most of the civil aviation airports and the air navigation system in the country, ordered all airports on Wednesday to modify the shift hours and cycles of ATCs to bring it on par with the world average.
The UN-backed team of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had visited India, including the city's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), in December last year. In their report, the team pointed out the serious shortage of air traffic controllers. ICAO submitted its report to Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
"During the safety oversight audit, DGCA pointed out that the weekly working hours of ATCOs in India is less than the world average. This is also resulting in shortage of ATCOs," read the order signed by executive director of Air Traffic Management, PK Mishra.
The order further said that to address the shortage of ATCOs, short-term, medium-term and long-term measures have been planned. Risk assessment and mitigation measures are being taken to ensure that safety is not compromised due to the shortage. "Compliance with the above directives is to be reflected in the monthly manpower and roster report from your centre," concluded the order.
According to an estimate, there are 289 ATCOs on duty in Mumbai. Additional 55 ATCOs were taken on board late last month, taking the figure to 344. The demand, however, is for more than 600, claimed the sources.
Correspondingly, there is a requirement of over 5,000 ATCOs at the national level, though the actual number is 2,800. Members of the ATC Guild, an association of ATCOs, refused to comment on the issue.
Losses at Juhu airport
The operations at the Juhu airport shut at 5pm everyday due to a shortage of ATCOs. According to aviation sources, only eight ATCOs have been deployed at the airport. There is a requirement of nearly 10 more. This has resulted in severe losses for the private aircraft operators and Central government-owned ONGC, which operate from the airport.
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