VASCO
In a first-of-its-kind initiative across the country for joint user defence airports, the Surface Movement Control (SMC) was commissioned at Goa International Airport in Dabolim.
According to a senior official at Dabolim Airport, this move was a step towards the capacity enhancement of the airport. "The Surface Movement Control (SMC) is commissioned and operationalised with effect from 12.30 pm on October 9. In the formal inaugural ceremony, Cmde Biplab Hota, VSM, Commanding Officer, INS Hansa inaugurated the SMC Unit in the presence of Airport Director Dhanamjaya Rao, officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI), Navy, CISF and Airlines officials.”
“This SMC unit shall be manned by AAI Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) and is the first of its kind in the Joint User Defence Airports in the country. This new initiative will help in accommodating a greater number of aircraft movements per hour by sharing the workload of Navy ATCOs and also by reducing congestion," the official added.
