Looking to increase plane movements at IGI: Sinha

New Delhi, April 20: With increasing passenger traffic at the international airport here, authorities plan to increase the number of aircraft movements by over 40 per cent to 95 movements per hour in three years.

After detailed discussions with stakeholders concerned on increasing the overall capacity at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Union minister Jayant Sinha, on Thursday, said there is a “strong working hypothesis” to increase the aircraft movements at the aerodrome.

A takeoff or landing is considered as one aircraft movement.

Besides, a flight operations committee would be set up to look into various issues related to the airport and the panel would hold meeting every month.

Noting that the master plan for the Delhi airport is being re-evaluated, Mr Sinha said UK-based NATS has been examining on how to increase airside capacity in the next two to three years. Generally, airside capacity refers to takeoffs and landings that an airport can handle.

NATS provides air traffic control services.

Currently, there are around 67 aircraft movements per hour at the airport under the summer schedule. This number is proposed to be increased to 95.

“We can expand it (aircraft movements) to 95 movements per hour in next two to three years... We think it is entirely feasible,” Mr Sinha said, adding that it can be done only with very close collaboration between all the stakeholders, including air traffic controllers, airport and airlines.