AAI taking steps to ensure safety for aircraft movements at Indian airports

To introduce A-SMGCS for monitoring movements at Mumbai and Kolkata airport
By Anita Jain | Mumbai

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to introduce Advanced Surface Movements – Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), to monitor Air Traffic Management (ATM) in Mumbai and Kolkata airport by next year. The System was introduced by USA based, Sensis Air Traffic Systems at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, in 2006. AAI is also aiming at further expanding the service in Delhi airport. Explaining the advantages of A-SMGCS, a source from AAI said, “This technology relies completely on automated processes, providing both pilots and traffic controllers’ exact information about positions and directions of the aircraft. The new system will help in reducing the number of accidents occurring at the ground level at the airport, resulting in safe movements and operations.”

Talking about the expansion at Delhi airport, Tonu Lo Brutto, Vice President and General Manager, Sensis Air Traffic Systems said, “The expanded A-SMGCS will provide surveillance coverage to address the terminal and runway expansion project. The expansion will include additional Sensis Multistatic Dependent Surveillance (MDS) multilateration sensors and a second Surface Movement Radar.”

According to AAI official, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has already described A-SMGCS as the future of modern airport, controlling the airport space. The system provides complete surveillance, control and guidance, on and around the airport, from single or multiple user positions. Displayed information include identification, aircraft number, vehicle type or number, operator, aircraft derived position, speed and intent. A-SMGCS will help enhance airport efficiency and capacity in low visibility, while maintaining current safety level. Internationally, Sensis is deploying its A-SMGCS at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney airports in Australia and Hong Kong International Airport. In the United States, Sensis’ A-SMGCS is being deployed at 35 airports through the FAA’s Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) programme.

Source : TravelBizMonitor