Seven close shaves in Indian skies this year

NEW DELHI: There is a rising incidence of planes getting too close for comfort in the crowded skies of India. The number of serious near misses or ‘airprox’ has touched seven by October this year, up from five in all of 2017, according to DGCA data released on Wednesday. In 2015 and 2016, the number of serious type of air misses was seven and eight, respectively.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has classified airprox into four categories: A is the highest level with a serious risk of aircraft involved in the nearness colliding. Then is B level where safety of aircraft may have been compromised. Then come level C and D, which denote no risk of collision and risk not determined, respectively.

“The combined number of level A and B airprox this year upto October is seven. In all of 2017, 2016 and 2015, the number of A and B level airprox was five, eight and seven, respectively. All the authorities and agencies concerned are taking the required steps to keep our skies safe,” said a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.


DGCA data released on Wednesday shows that serious incidents measured in terms of per 10,000 departures has risen in 2018 (till October) as compared to all of last five years except 2015.