Whalesbook
Engineers Raise Alarm Over Air Traffic Control Privatisation
Air traffic control (ATC) services at Airports Authority of India (AAI) are facing scrutiny. ATSEPA, the engineers' body of AAI, has lodged a formal protest. The association communicated its serious concerns in a letter dated April 23 to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, urging an immediate policy reconsideration.
Call for Autonomous ANS Structure
ATSEPA's main objection is to the proposed introduction of private sector participation in ATC without first establishing an independent Air Navigation Services (ANS) structure. The union argues that such a move, especially without an autonomous regulatory body, could weaken India's national strategic capabilities.
Historical Context and Risks
This debate is not entirely new. Splitting ANS, which includes ATC and Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) services, from AAI was previously discussed, agreed in principle, and partly implemented during the tenure of the late AAI Chairman Guru Prasad Mohapatra. They note the current proposal moves forward despite that framework being rolled back, creating structural inconsistency.
They warn that having ANS remain an internal unit while private firms compete creates an institutional disadvantage. Fragmenting ATC services in this safety-critical area also raises serious questions about accountability, uniformity, and operational integrity. The association cautioned that overlooking the existing, trained, and proven ANS workforce for external providers risks diluting sovereign expertise.
Demands for Independence and Redefined Roles
ATSEPA calls for ANS to be immediately operationalised as a fully independent entity. This entity should have full functional, financial, and administrative autonomy. They propose this independent ANS should provide ATC and CNS services to all airports competitively and without discrimination. The association also stressed the need to clearly redefine AAI's role to prevent overlaps and conflicts of interest. ATSEPA stated any deviation from this path would be seen as structurally flawed and detrimental, unlikely to be accepted by professionals maintaining India's airspace safety and efficiency.