Chennai airport to get India's first SmartPath GBAS

The Chennai airport is all set to get India's first satellite-based aircraft approach and landing system which will not only enhance its capacity to handle more planes by providing multiple approaches but also help airlines save fuel cost.The Airports Authority of India today signed a contract with the US' Honeywell for installation of India's first Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) at the Chennai airport, the country's third busiest airport after Delhi and Mumbai.

"GBAS is certified by US Federal Aviation Authority and Germany's BAF. Already installed at 14 airports in the US, Australia, Europe and Brazil, the system has helped airlines to save around 12 per cent on fuel cost," President of Honeywell Aerospace-India, Pritam Bhavnani told PTI.

With number of passengers across India is expected to reach 540 million annually by 2025, SmartPath GBAS would support future demand at the Chennai international airport by reducing delays and journey times for passengers, lowering operational costs for airlines and increasing traffic throughput at the airport.

"Unlike the instrument landing system (ILS), GBAS is not susceptible to signal interferences from weather, terrain or other obstacles, so it can be successfully implemented in hilly areas where ILS approach is not very effective," Bhavnani said.

Bhavnani and Ravi Prakash, Executive Director (ATM) today signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

The AAI has taken up this pilot project in collaboration with the US-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) with US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) grant.

Under this grant, the officials from AAI and Directorate General of Civil Aviation would be trained for implementation, handling and certification process of the system.

"The implementation of GBAS is a step forward towards the implementation of Satellite Based Precision Approaches that would enhance airport capacity, providing multiple precision approaches to all associated runways at an airport," an AAI spokesperson said in a statement.

The pilot project for GBAS implementation would benefit the airlines by lowering the operational cost by reducing delays and diversions through provision of precision approach and landings on all runways.

AAI Chairman V P Agarwal, in a statement, said the AAI recognises the importance of investing today in order to prepare Indian airports for passenger growth of tomorrow.

The Chennai airport is India's third busiest airport, handling over 10.5 million passengers each year.

"AAI have achieved substantial success in upgrading CNS/ATM infrastructure leading to safe and seamless Air Traffic Management. Installation of GBAS is another significant step in the direction for safe, efficient and environmental-friendly air navigation services," AAI Member (ANS) V Somasundaram said.

The AAI has planned to deploy the system at other major airports as per modernisation and development of air traffic infrastructure plans, he added.