The court of inquiry by air marshal (retd) B N Gokhale, which probed the May 22 Air India Express Boeing 737 crash at the Mangalore Airport has recommended the construction of a new ATC tower for a better view of the airport. The on-duty air traffic controller was unable to see the Boeing 737 at the end of the runway, and according to standard practice, had radioed the plane to backtrack on the runway, said the court of inquiry.

The AAI plans to construct an ATC tower and a radar control room at a distance of 2,000 feet from the point where runway 24/06 begins. The other changes include elevation of the runway-end safety area and improved runway markings. Tenders for the ATC tower are alread floated and the project cost is estimated to be Rs 26.5 cr. The completion is envisaged in 18 months once the bids are finalised.