Step 1: Understand the organisation responsible for air traffic management in India.
Air traffic management in India is handled by a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that manages the entire Indian airspace.
Step 2: Identify the correct organisation.
The
Airports Authority of India (AAI) was formed on 1st April 1995 by merging the International Airports Authority of India and the National Airports Authority [citation:4]. It is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India [citation:1].
Step 3: Functions of the Airports Authority of India.
AAI is responsible for:
- Providing Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over the entire Indian Air Space and adjoining oceanic areas [citation:1][citation:10]
- Control and Management of the Indian airspace extending beyond the territorial limits of the country [citation:4]
- Ground installations at all airports and 25 other locations to ensure safety of aircraft operations [citation:1]
- Design, development, operation and maintenance of international and domestic airports [citation:4]
Step 4: Analysis of each option.
- (U) Indian Airport Commission: Incorrect. This is not the correct name of the regulatory body.
- (B) Indian Air Control Board: Incorrect. No such organisation exists.
- (C) Indian Air Transport Authority: Incorrect. This is not the correct name.
- (D) Indian Airport Authority: Correct.} This refers to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which regulates air traffic at major airports.
Step 5: Conclusion.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the statutory body responsible for regulating air traffic at major airports and managing the entire Indian airspace.
Final Answer:} (D) Indian Airport Authority