GAGAN to bring down airfares

Device can help planes fly shortest distance between 2 points

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) might not upgrade India’s air safety rating despite India’s implementation of satellite based navigation system to improve safety.

However, air fares could come down as aircraft would not need to pass through the range of airport Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars to reach a destination. The aircraft will be able to take a more direct line between two points and even fly with precision in tough topography, which is currently avoided. The shorter distance would mean less fuel consumption, indirectly lowering fares.

The AAI and ISRO-developed GPS Aided Geo-Augmentation Navigation (GAGAN) will be operational by the end of the year as the Airports Authority of India is expecting final clearances by then from the Director General of Civil Aviation.

However, this may not mean an immediate upgrade on air safety from the US FAA. Mr V. Somasundaram, member, Air Navigation Services, AAI, told this newspaper that deploying GAGAN is not related to the FAA downgrading or upgrading of air safety in India.

But, cost-wise, it is a positive sign. An AAI official said, “Aircraft generally have to fly through different radar zones located in different cities. But with GAGAN, they can fly the shortest distance between two points.” Mr Somasundaram said aircraft can fly through difficult topographies with precision. “When flying near to the ground if there is a mountain pass, the plane can be guided precisely and airlines can save a lot of fuel,” he said.