New Delhi, 19 July, 2011

Airports Authority of India today signs MoU with USTDA (US Trade Development Agency) for implementation of GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System) as a Pilot Project at Chennai.

The project is funded by USDTA under India-US Aviation Cooperation programme. USTDA would provide training, certification and implementation assistance.

The GBAS provides GNSS landing system (GLS approaches) to multiple runways at an aerodrome meeting the precision CAT-I approach requirements and upgradable to CAT-II & III services in future.

The system will facilitate significant benefit to airlines in terms of multiple final approach paths, support for takeoff operations to and from multiple runways, thereby increasing the overall air traffic handling capacity in a safe & efficient manner.

With the implementation of this programme, India will join the select band of countries who have implemented GBAS.

The project starts forthwith.

Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Secretary, Civil Aviation(centre) with V P Agrawal, Chairman, AAI and Ms. Lee Zak, Director, USTDA immediately after signing the MoU