India is short of at least 1,260 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs), who are trained professionals managing aircraft movements in the sky and on the ground to ensure safety.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has informed Lok Sabha that 22.75% of ATCO posts are vacant at present. However, it has insisted that no key operational units have been shut down due to manpower shortage.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written reply that air traffic is managed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) through a total sanctioned strength of 5537 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs).

\"The deployment of Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) is undertaken by AAI based on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation - Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on Watch Duty Time Limitations (WDTL)

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