Latest news with #ICAO
Gulf Business
37 minutes ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia opens airspace to enable smooth flow of air traffic
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace to support the smooth flow of international air traffic amid recent The kingdom is now handling an average of more than 1,330 daily flights through its airspace, which is nearly double the number recorded before the crisis began. These additional flights were managed safely and efficiently, aided by advanced technologies and stringent security measures in full compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. According to SPA, the General Authority of Civil Aviation ( More than 220 international air carriers transited through Saudi skies during this time, prompting the activation of pre-planned airspace expansion protocols. Saudi reinforces airport and airspace security The kingdom reinforced its airport and airspace security through enhanced surveillance systems, risk management frameworks, and technical infrastructure upgrades. Crisis management teams, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, processed real-time data to provide rapid operational support to local and regional stakeholders. This allowed for seamless traffic flow and strengthened Saudi Arabia's reputation as a safe and reliable aviation hub. Saudi Arabia's air navigation system includes 20 control towers, two regional area control centres with 15 control sectors, 10 approach control centres, and over 1,200 navigation devices across the country, SPA reported. These are operated by a workforce of more than 1,900 aviation specialists, including over 700 male and female air traffic controllers, all working under advanced operational methodologies.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- General
- Business Standard
Air India crash probe: India permits ICAO expert to join as observer
India has decided to grant observer status to an expert from the United Nations aviation body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in the investigation into the deadly Air India crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, news agency PTI reported. The ICAO had earlier sought observer status for its expert, which is not a common practice. Following internal deliberations, Indian authorities accepted the request. 'The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner,' an official said, as quoted by the report. According to the ICAO website, aircraft accident investigations are conducted in line with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which outlines the procedures and international standards — known as Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) — aimed at ensuring consistency and safety in global aviation. Air India crash in Ahmedabad The crash, one of the worst air disasters in India in decades, involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Air India flight AI 171. The aircraft was en route to London's Gatwick Airport when it crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar area shortly after takeoff. Of the 242 people onboard, 241 were killed, with only one survivor. The total death toll stood at 270, including casualties on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a probe after the tragedy and constituted a multidisciplinary team on June 13. The team includes representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an air traffic control officer, and an aviation medicine specialist. Black box analysis underway The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed on Thursday that data is being retrieved from the aircraft's black boxes. Both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) are under analysis as part of efforts to determine the cause of the crash. Parliament committee summons top officials Parliament's Transport Committee has summoned officials from Boeing as well as India's Civil Aviation Secretary, The Economic Times reported. The committee, led by Rajya Sabha MP and JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, aims to scrutinise the incident in detail, including the procurement process of the Boeing 787-8 and its suitability for Air India's operations. The panel will also hold discussions with key stakeholders such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India. Tata promises long-term family support Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced on Thursday that Tata Sons and Tata Trusts would jointly establish a dedicated trust to offer long-term assistance to families of those who lost their lives in the accident. The move is seen as part of Tata Group's broader humanitarian response, given its ownership of Air India. (With agency inputs)
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace To Over 1,300 Daily Flights Amid Regional Crisis
Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace to ensure the smooth flow of air traffic and flight routes amid escalating tensions in the region, mobilizing all human and material resources to accommodate a surge in transit flights. On average, more than 1,330 daily flights have crossed Saudi airspace in recent days, nearly double the traffic levels seen before the regional crisis. These additional flights were managed safely and efficiently, backed by cutting-edge technologies and stringent security protocols, in full alignment with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. During this heightened period, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) took proactive measures to open supplementary air corridors to absorb the increased traffic. The Kingdom expanded its airspace capacity and optimized flight paths through advanced navigational systems that enhanced both safety and operational efficiency. Over 220 air carriers have passed through Saudi skies since the onset of the crisis, prompting the activation of strategic contingency plans. These included rigorous airport and airspace security procedures, supported by high-tech surveillance systems and infrastructure. Real-time crisis management was handled by teams using advanced data processing tools to facilitate seamless communication and coordination among operators, both locally and regionally. This allowed Saudi Arabia to respond rapidly to evolving conditions while maintaining uninterrupted flight operations at the highest safety levels. The Kingdom's air navigation network is among the most advanced globally, comprising 20 control towers, two regional control centers covering 15 sectors, and 10 approach control centers. More than 1,200 navigation devices are deployed across the country, managed by over 1,900 aviation professionals including 700+ certified air traffic controllers.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Global aviation body may join probe into AI crash
NEW DELHI: The International Civil Aviation Organisation is likely to join the investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash, officials aware of the matter said on Friday, adding that India had requested the UN aviation body to be an observer. The ICAO made a written request to the Indian government on June 20 seeking 'observer status' for one of its investigators in the probe being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). (REUTERS) The ICAO made a written request to the Indian government on June 20 seeking 'observer status' for one of its investigators in the probe being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), according to officials familiar with the development. 'The ICAO offered to be a part of the investigation due to its critical nature and significant public interest,' an official told HT, speaking on condition of anonymity. India has approved the request, with an ICAO official expected to be designated as observer within the next two days, the official added. The participation represents an unusual step for the Montreal-based organisation. According to ICAO's website, the body 'does not normally participate in aircraft accident investigations, except when the state or states with due authority under Annex 13 — Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation request our assistance directly.' It was not clear if a request to ICAO was made by authorities in the UK – which lost 52 of its citizens in the June 12 tragedy --- or the US, where the plane-maker Boeing is headquartered. Members from both countries have been part of the analyses till now. Former DGCA joint director general JS Rawat underscored the rarity of such involvement. 'In my career of more than three decades, this is the first time that the ICAO has requested the state (India) to be a part of the investigation,' he said. HT has seen the email sent by India's ICAO representative Angshumali Rastogi to civil aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, in which the UN body stated that 'the presence of an observer will greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the ongoing investigation.' Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan clarified the observer's limited role: 'The investigation is solely conducted by the AAIB. The UK civil aviation authority, the engine and aircraft manufacturer along with US National Transportation Safety Board and ICAO do not play a main role in the investigation apart from assistance, if or when required, by the AAIB.' When ICAO does participate as an observer, assistance typically involves 'clarifying various Annex 13 requirements when requested,' according to the organization's guidelines. The AAIB is currently investigating the crash of Air India Flight 171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing at least 271 people. The investigation also involves other international stakeholders given the aircraft type and components involved, including Boeing as the aircraft manufacturer, Rolls-Royce for the engines, and aviation authorities from countries where the aircraft was certified. The civil aviation ministry and ICAO did not respond to queries seeking comment.
Mint
15 hours ago
- General
- Mint
Indian authorities decide to accord observer status to ICAO expert in AI plane crash probe: Source
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Indian authorities have decided to accord observer status to UN body ICAO's expert in the ongoing probe into the fatal Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, a top official source said on Friday. In a not-so-common move, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sought observer status for its expert in the investigation. Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en-route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 people who were onboard the plane. One passenger survived. The probe into the crash is in progress. On Friday, the official source told PTI that after considering the request, it has been decided to accord the observer status to ICAO expert in the investigation. The Indian authorities are approaching the probe in a transparent manner, the official source emphasised. Further details could not be immediately ascertained. An aircraft accident investigation is carried out as per Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention. The International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) contained in the nineteen Technical Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also called Chicago Convention) are applied universally and produce a high degree of technical uniformity which has enabled international civil aviation to develop in a safe, orderly and efficient manner, as per ICAO website. SARPS have been developed by ICAO, which was established in 1944. On Thursday, the civil aviation ministry said data is being extracted from black boxes, and analysis of cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the crashed aircraft is underway. AAIB promptly initiated an investigation and constituted a multi-disciplinary team headed by the AAIB chief on June 13 in line with prescribed norms. The team includes an aviation medicine specialist, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ministry had said in a statement.
