The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an aviation watchdog, has enforced regulations for “Watch Duty Time Limitation and rest requirements for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) involved in air traffic services” at 57 airports. These regulations are in accordance with international standards and were put into effect on Thursday.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the implementation of the regulations is a significant achievement that reflects DGCA’s dedication to maintaining the utmost level of aviation safety. This milestone has been reached through the combined efforts of the regulator and various stakeholders, working closely together.
This reform is of great importance in the civil aviation industry as it ensures that air traffic control officers (ATCOs) receive sufficient rest while carrying out their duties. The regulations have been established to define the maximum allowable duty period and the minimum required rest period for ATCOs, According to the official.
“The regulation is modelled on ICAO regulations and is based on our national, social and cultural contexts coupled with scientifically valid, optimal limits for ATCO’s. This will ensure our skies become safe and will also take care of health, physical and psychological requirements of the ATCO’s thus ensuring provision of continued, adequate safe air traffic services,” the official added.
The 57 Air Traffic Control Centers :
Northern region : Amritsar, Dehradun, Kishangarh, Shimla, Kanpur, Bhuntar, Gaggal, Pant Nagar, Safdarjung
Southern region : Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tuticorin, Calicut, Kannur, Kalaburgi, Mysuru, Belagavi (Belgaum), Hubballi (Hubli), Vijayawada, Cudappah, Hyd-Begumpet, Tirupati, Rajamundry
Western region : Mopa Goa, Indore, Surat, Bhopal, Udaipur, Vadodara, Aurangabad, Hirasar, Jabalpur, Shridi, Kohlapur, Juhu.
Eastern region : Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Durgapur, Gaya, Jhasarguda, Deogar, Jagdalpur, Raipur, Khajuraho, Kushinagar
North east region : Barapani, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Lengpui, Lilabari, Rupsi, Imphal, Agartala, Hollongi, Tezu.
“The rollout of the regulations at the remaining airports would happen in a phased manner as per the roadmap indicated by the Airport Authority of India,” the official added.
