US-India aviation partnership is ready for takeoff: FAA chief

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) Air traffic management, airspace utilisation and training of air traffic controllers are some key areas where the United States can help India cope with explosive passenger traffic growth, FAA administrator Marion Blakey said today.

''India is certainly where the action is right now. This is an opportunity for us to lend our expertise as India comes to grips with this tremendous growth,'' she told reporters as the three-day US-India Aviation Partnership Summit wound up.

She said the focus of US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be to help India develop future infrastructure, share information and discuss best practices.

Pilot shortage, aging infrastructure and congested airspace around New Delhi and Mumbai are some of the big challenges facing the Indian aviation sector, said Ms Blakey. ''The congestion issue is a huge area where India can make advances by adopting better air traffic routing practices.'' She said Indian officials have demonstrated the political will and expertise necessary for modernisation, adding that developing global standards for aviation is critical.

India will benefit from expert US advice on aviation regulation and facilities, said Ms Blakey, while the United States will get to learn from India's rapid installation of new technology like satellite-based aircraft monitoring.

She said it is important for the FAA to make such contacts to ensure smooth interaction with two rapidly growing aviation markets.

The US National Airspace System manages over 55,000 flights a day. In India, the figure is less than 1,200.

UNI