The Civil Aviation Ministry has revealed that the flexible use of airspace holds the key to annual savings of Rs 1,000 crore for airlines. This approach aims to reduce flight time, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions, presenting a significant cost-cutting opportunity.
Liberation of Airspace for Civilian Use
Historically, 40% of airspace was inaccessible for civilian use, leading to circuitous flight routes. The Indian Air Force (IAF) controls 30% of national airspace, with 30% released under flexible use. As part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the IAF releases these portions for civilian use, resulting in 129 conditional routes.