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USTDA AWARDS GRANT FOR CNS/ATM TRANSITION PLAN IN INDIA
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Mr. John Davison (seated left), Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and Dr. K. Ramalingam (seated second from left), AAI Chairman, sign the agreement conferring the USTDA grant to fund the development of a plan for technology upgrades that will enable AAI to make key aviation infrastructure improvements.
NEW DELHI, INDIA (January 24, 2008) – Continuing the agency's support for safe and more efficient air traffic management in India is the goal of a USTDA grant awarded today to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The agreement will be used to develop a plan for technology upgrades that will enable AAI to make key aviation infrastructure improvements that are necessary as India's aviation sector continues its rapid growth. The agreement directly supports the bilateral U.S-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP), a public-private partnership signed between USTDA and India's Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2007.
The $503,252 grant was conferred during a ceremony held at the AAI's office in New Delhi. Mr. John Davison, Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and Dr. K. Ramalingam, AAI Chairman, signed the agreement on behalf the U.S. and Indian governments, respectively.
At present, India's air traffic management system relies on ground-based navigation aids, such as mountain top VHF omni-ranging transmitters, to guide aircraft. The implementation of modern Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems would take advantage of new navigation technologies, such as global positioning systems. These systems enable aircraft to fly more direct paths and increase the safety and efficiency of air space management.
Under a grant to AAI in 2001, USTDA supported development of an initial CNS/ATM transition plan. AAI has requested additional assistance that is funded by the grant awarded today to incorporate into the original study an assessment of their communications systems. The assessment will include the development of recommendations to enable AAI to meet the communications requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization operational concepts.
Innovative Solutions International (ISI) of Vienna, VA was selected as the contractor for the study funded by the initial grant. ISI will also perform the assessment funded by today's grant.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
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