Indian Aviation goes Eco-friendly

Indian aviation industry has taken an initiative to work towards a green eco-friendly environment. The civil aviation regulator in India, also known as Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all the inbound domestic airlines and airports to open up Aviation Environment Cells through which measures can be taken to work on the aviation environmental issues which the aviation industry goes through on a daily basis. In a view of this, the Indian government has also setup an Aviation Environment Unit (AIU), which would be dedicated towards addressing environmental issues.

A notification was sent to all the airlines and airports and air traffic providers via a circular by the DGCA, and it speaks about the protocol they need to follow which includes up-gradation of the aircraft, use of biofuel in the place of aviation turbine fuel.

Pilots are being trained to practice best navigation skills to reduce fuel wastage and increase efficiency so as to reduce carbon footprint. There are some norms which needs to be in place, like getting rid of extra weight and maximum utilization of the passenger occupancy.

Norms have also been set for the airport authorities as they have been directed to use gas, electric or any other eco powered ground vehicles which reduces air pollution. CNG driven vehicles can be found in plenty in India especially at airports like New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, though you can still find a few petrol or diesel run vehicles which means implementation work is in progress. Public utility vehicles have also been advised to be introduced so that the use of private vehicles is reduced.

As many airports in India face severe air traffic congestion, Airport Authority of India which manages air traffic has been advised to work on a stringent basis to avoid delays caused due to air traffic congestions which can reduce the wastage of aviation turbine fuel (ATF).