India is planning a significant initiative to consolidate its four Flight Information Regions (FIRs) located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai into a single continuous airspace centered around Nagpur. This consolidation aims to establish harmonised Air Traffic Management (ATM) operations from Nagpur, leveraging its strategically central location in the country. 

The anticipated benefits of this move include enhanced safety measures, reduced carbon emissions, decreased flight separations, and the implementation of more fuel-efficient flight paths for aircraft. 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has requested a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to be prepared for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized ATM (ISHAN) at Nagpur. This report aims to explore available technologies both domestically and internationally to facilitate this endeavour. 

India serves as the primary air navigation service provider in the Asia-Pacific region, overseeing a vast expanse of airspace spanning over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This significant airspace jurisdiction is managed by India across four flight information regions (FIRs) located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, supplemented by a sub-FIR situated in Guwahati. India collaborates with 12 neighboring countries to share its Flight Information Regions (FIRs). 

The consolidation of India's four Flight Information Regions (FIRs) into a single, contiguous airspace centered around Nagpur is intended to streamline and improve air traffic management (ATM) operations within the region. 

The aim of implementing the Single Sky Harmonized ATM is to establish a seamless, cost-effective, and technologically advanced airspace solution that meets customer needs. This unified airspace, based in Nagpur, strategically addresses the challenges through automation, remote facilities, and emerging technologies, ensuring efficient air traffic management. 

The deployment of the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management at Nagpur (ISHAN) necessitates a comprehensive examination of present and anticipated air traffic growth, alongside the associated management challenges. 

A designated consultant will conduct a thorough feasibility assessment for the planning and execution of the Single FIR, seeking technical cooperation and guidance from esteemed international organizations or Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) experienced in Single Sky Harmonized ATM. 

This initiative could serve as a foundational step towards building a sophisticated yet effective airspace and ATM infrastructure in India. 

Image Source: CNBC