For VVIPs, airports to shut for 6 mins

MUMBAI: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) propose to introduce a three-minute complete airport closure before and after the arrival or departure of any VVIP flight at all airports across India.

This would mean that airports would be closed for six minutes in case of a VVIP movement. The decision comes five months after a near-collision situation between one of the choppers in the President's convoy and an Air India (AI) flight in February.

Incidentally, the recommendation for the closure was made in July by a team of both Indian Air Force (IAF) and AAI officials who investigated the case.Officials said the decision is likely to be implemented by the end of next month. ''There are some operational issues at busy airports which need to be sorted out before the closure rule is implemented. An AAI committee is looking into it and it is likely to be in place by the end of September,'' said a senior DGCA official.

Director general Naseem Zaidi confirmed the development. ''The need for this was felt by the investigation committee after the incident at Mumbai airport. Hence, a proper plan is being looked into by AAI,'' Zaidi told TOI.

The findings of the reports had mentioned that ''no closure of airport is required for VVIP flights at present as per the instructions of the home ministry. VVIP flights are, however, to be given priority landing. There is a lack of common understanding on the concept of priority landing between AAI and IAF.''