US mulls aviation programme with India

The US is seeking to use its experience in China to develop an Aviation Cooperation Programme with India to streamline global air traffic control, a senior US official has said.

"We are look to build upon our experience in China by developing an Aviation Cooperation Programme (ACP) in India," said Marion Blakey, the Administrator of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

"The US-India ACP could start very shortly now that the long-awaited agreement has been approved by the India Cabinet and is ready for signature. We are counting on a long term relationship with India to grow their aviation system," Blakey told the Royal Aeronautical Society.

"We're working with India on performance-based navigation. India believes that implementing performance-based navigation will have a significant impact on their air traffic management," the top FAA official remarked.

The Bush administration, the official said, is also expecting some movement on negotiating a bilateral aviation safety agreement with India, that would allow the US to accept Indian airworthiness certification on some aviation and aerospace products.

"We've signed a letter of intent stating that the FAA and the Indians are going to begin discussions on a bilateral," the top FAA official said.