3 - Ministry of Civil Aviation

(4) Domestic route structures need restructuring to provide direct flying through reservedairspace, which will reduce flying time and help to save fuel.(5) The Hindon airspace above 500 feet should be handed over to Delhi ATC to facilitateefficient handling of traffic and to reduce track distance of both arrivals and departuresof aircraft.(6) Restrictions for civil flights due to multiple military establishments near Hyderabadairport should be relaxed so as to facilitate direct flying of civil aircraft and therebyreduce flying time and fuel consumption.(7) Air Force exercise at busy airports like Mumbai and Delhi should be reduced or avoidedto minimise disruption of large number of civil flights.5.2.3 Helicopter OperationsHelicopter operation in India is basically Visual Flight Rules (VFR) oriented and subjectto visibility conditions as applicable to VFR and special VFR flights.. Helicopters are alsooperated from airports and constitute traffic like any other fixed-wing aircraft. Separationminima applicable for fixed wing aircraft is therefore mechanically applied to helicopters also.In recent years, helicopter movements have increased considerably especially at Mumbai andDelhi airports. This not only affects the scheduled flights, but also contributes tocommunication congestion during peak hour traffic.In order to streamline helicopter operations at Mumbai and Delhi airports, the followingsuggestions may be considered:(1) Heliports should be developed at sites, which do not interfere with the aerodrometraffic.(2) Separate routes/ air corridors for helicopters should be developed in such a manner thathelicopters in these routes do not pose any. safety hazard to fixed wing aircraftmovements.(3) Iielicopters on the designated routings may operate without requiring ATC clearance inVFR conditions at the heights applicable to these routes.(4) Review of applicable rules for VFR / Spl VFR operation and height requirements needsto be conducted by the DGCA. The review may also be extended in respect of slowmoving aircraft.5.3 .Airport Capacity EnhancementAs a long-term measure, action should be taken to construct parallel runways at least atall the international airports where feasible, and, at green field airports. Furthermore, tominimise the runway occupancy time, rapid exit taxiways should be provided at suitablelocations so that different types of aircraft can vacate the runway at appropriate landing speed.26