May 11: The government has proposed to induct a mammoth 338 air traffic controllers (ATCs) for training from June 1 this year to tackle the shortfall of ATCs which stands at about 400.
Sources said that the move would go a long way in reducing ATC shortages as well as improving air-safety standards in the country in view of the expanding aviation sector and increasing number of flights — both domestic and international. There are currently about 1,600 ATCs in the country while the sanctioned number of posts is about 2,100. The state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) is mandated with handling the ATC functions. In recent years, the government has expressed its intention to establish a separate subsidiary of the AAI for the ATC functions.
This year, the AAI has also created a senior-level post of member (Air Navigation Services) to over see the ATC functions. In view of the increasing domestic and international air connectivity, the ATCs have come under increasing strain and work-pressure in recent years due to the large shortfall of ATCs. In fact, the ATC guild — that represents the ATCs — had requested the AAI management two years ago to work towards improving the service conditions of the ATCs and offering better remuneration to them. Sources in the ATC guild say that the attrition rate of ATCs is high due to the high pressure of the job.
ATCs have now begun to opt for other high-paying jobs in the aviation sector and some of the ATCs have also been offered huge pay packets to work as ATCs in countries like South Africa. ATC guild officials also point out that a significant number of ATC trainees also opt out mid-way.