India reviews runway safety guidelines post Japan plane crash incident

The circular highlights key actions that must be followed by all stakeholders. It mentions comprehensive training for pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance engineers (Clear to Taxi), and drivers operating inside the airport.

Ensuring adherence to standard procedures by all involved personnel/stakeholders has also been stressed in the circular.

There is a major emphasis on ATC, and there is a push for the adoption of technological interventions to improve situational awareness. This could result in assisting Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other stakeholders in identifying traffic within the maneuvering area.

ATC has been instructed to ensure that stop bars are switched on to signal a stop and switched off to indicate traffic may proceed. In no case can aircraft or vehicles be instructed to cross illuminated red stop bars. Aerodromes, ATC, and airlines should implement contingency measures to cater to unserviceable stop bars.

Recognising the influence of human factors on performance, which may contribute to runway incursions, is also part of the circular. The air safety circular also talks about establishing a Runway Safety Team at all aerodromes and ensuring their effective functioning.

The DGCA has also stated, "The rate of runway incursions is on a decreasing trend. However, by adhering to the actions specified in this circular and maintaining a proactive approach among all stakeholders, the risk of runway incursions may be further reduced."