During the past year local and international media reports on India's increasing and far reaching ATC problems have skyrocketed. It’s difficult to say if this happens because of a true rise in near misses, combined with an increase in air traffic, or if it is due to a renewed journalistic interest in air travel. What is certain is that what appears to be going on in India is worrying.

The Indian economy is supercharged and an ever increasing young and dynamic population will soon compete with China for the lead position in the world’s economy. However, if India is serious about aiming for the top, its ATC authorities must take immediate and adequate measures to maintain safety and efficiency in the skies. Being a huge country, air travel is vital for India, as a facilitating force both locally and internationally. An air disaster due to ATC inefficiencies will have immeasurable consequences on the country’s aspirations. The Indian government has to act now. Investing in safe and efficient ATC will pay dividends in the decades to come.