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State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) has earmarked ₹3,490 crore for upgradation of air navigation infrastructure, including ₹1,532 crore for automation of air traffic management systems at airports.
AAI is the only Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in the country.
On Thursday (February 12, 2026), Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha that AAI continuously undertakes modernisation of air navigation infrastructure and upgradation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems to cater to the growing air traffic demand.
Parliament Budget Session: Follow LIVE updates on February 12, 2026
"AAI has earmarked a capital outlay of approximately ₹3,490 crore during the period 2026–2028 for the modernisation of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at various airports across the country.
"Out of the said expenditure, around ₹1,532 crore pertains to automation of ATM systems across airports," he said in a written reply.
The remaining funds have been allocated for the upgradation of other CNS/ATM equipment.
In November last year, a glitch in the air traffic control system had disrupted flight operations at the Delhi airport.
Separately, AAI has issued a Request for Proposal to IIT Madras for engagement as a consultant to support and strengthen the cyber security framework of OT/IT (Operational Technology/ Information Technology) systems at its airports.
The scope of the consultancy includes formulation of cyber security architecture and assessment of manpower requirements for cyber security verticals in AAI, the Minister said.
Mr. Mohol, in the written reply, also said AAI undertakes recruitment from time to time to ensure availability of adequate technical manpower for maintaining operational safety and continuity of services.
"During the last three years, recruitment to 2,341 posts in technical roles at the executive level has been conducted by AAI," he added.
Government says 1,279 air traffic controller posts lying vacant
A total of 1,279 posts out of the sanctioned 5,537 positions for air traffic controllers are lying vacant, the government said on Thursday (February 11, 2026).
The air traffic is managed by the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is also the sole Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in the country.
“Air traffic is managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) through a total sanctioned strength of 5,537 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs). The total vacancies of ATCOs are 1,279,” Mr. Mohol told the Lok Sabha.
To date in the current financial year, 4,320 ATC personnel have been trained at the seven operational training centres in the country.
The Minister said deployment of ATCOs is undertaken by AAI based on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation - Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on Watch Duty Time Limitations (WDTL), which is as per international norms and also as per air traffic volume at airports, to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management.
“Aviation safety is maintained through optimal utilisation of available manpower in accordance with the extant norms and standards. No key operational units have been shut down due to manpower shortage,” Mr. Mohol said in a written reply.
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets.
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