Vijayawada airport seeks DGCA approval for new ATC tower operations

Vijayawada: Following the successful trial run of the newly constructed Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Vijayawada Airport, officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at the airport have written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), seeking the requisite permissions to commence regular operations from the new ATC tower. To improve flight operational efficiency, the AAI has constructed the new ATC tower at cost of Rs 90 crore at Vijayawada airport.For nearly one month, the Vijayawada airport authorities carried out a trial run at the newly constructed ATC tower, along with the existing ATC tower, simultaneously managing the flight traffic at the airport from both the new and old towers."We have successfully conducted live air traffic management from the new ATC tower for the last 30 days. Based on successful trials, the ATC officials at the airport have written to DGCA, seeking its approval for shifting the ATC operations to the new tower," Vijayawada Airport ATC assistant general manager Vamsi Krishna told STOI, confirming that they have sought the DGCA's permission.Vamsi Krishna elaborated that the DGCA team will arrive at Vijayawada airport and carry out an on-ground assessment of the operations at the new ATC tower, following which it would give a nod to start the operations from the new tower. "We are expecting to receive DGCA's approval within two months, as the live trials were successful, with no issues experienced during the trial," Vamsi Krishna added.It could be mentioned here that the AAI commenced the construction of the new ATC tower and a G+2 structure in 2023 and completed the construction in two-and-a-half year of time.
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