Aviation ministry grounds IAF flight plan

A proposal by the Indian Air Force to close airspace for 10 minutes to allow take-offs and landings by flights carrying VVIPs has been shot down by the aviation ministry. Closure of airspace means no flight will be allowed to take off or land when a VVIP flight is doing so.

The suggestion came during the IAF’s meetings with the aviation ministry and the directorate general of civil aviation to investigate an incident involving the presidential chopper. On 9 February, one of the three choppers which were part of President Pratibha Patil’s entourage, landed on the runway from which an Air India flight was cruising for take off.

Aviation authorities dismissed the idea because it would create chaos at airports, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi. Both airports handle more than 600 flights a day and a 10-minute closure would have thrown the entire schedule into disarray — delaying several flights and frustrating fliers.

A senior civil aviation ministry official who attended the meeting earlier this month told DNA that the IAF believed the closure would ensure goof-ups such as the one involving the presidential chopper don’t happen again. But the ministry and the DGCA did not agree.

“There’s no point thinking of closing airspace because it will throw air traffic into haywire and cause problems for passengers and airlines,” said a senior official.

The joint investigation into the air miss involving the presidential chopper is nearly complete. On February 9, three IAF choppers took off from Kunjali air base for Mumbai airport. One landed on the runway where the AI flight (IC-866) was about to take off.  The AI pilot aborted take-off to avoid a collision.

In the past, airspace used to be closed for flights carrying the President or PM at all airports. In 1996, the government stopped the practice because it caused harassment and delay for passengers.