New Delhi: In a major fillp to air connectivity in India the Centre is mulling a 5-year plan which envisages setting up a whopping 50 airports in smaller cities across the length and breadth of the country. The report comes as India’s air passenger traffic is rebounding to near pre-COVID-19 highs and rivalling the volume growth of larger countries such as the US and China. India’s dometic air traffic rose to a fresh high 477,554 passengers on September 2, 2024, up 1.5 per cent from the April 21, 2024, high of 470,751 passengers, according data from the civil aviation ministry.
Where will Centre set up 50 airports
The Centre plans to set up 50 airports in smaller cities of the country in a project that it likley to be overseen by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The plan pertains to the development of airport infrastructure over the next 5 years for upcoming projects as well as projects that are already underway. The projects may be undertaken by the Central or state government sor private players, the Mint reported, citing two officials.
Air travel demand is likely to rise in areas of India that are underserved and unserved, the Mint reported, citing Pragya Pridarshini, VP at management cinsulting firm Primus Partners. Airports will receive a fillip amid a greater demand for movement and connectivity as business and industrial acitivity rises in these areas, she added.
Moreover, airlines in India have ramped up capacity in anticipation of a jump in air traffic demand with an order piepline of 1,600 jets between India’s largest airline by passenger traffic IndiGo, Tata group-owned Air India, and Rekha Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air.
Airports in focus
Bihta in Bihar is likely to serve as the second airport for the state capital of Patna. Slated to be kicked off with a foundation stone laying ceremonu later in 2024, Bihta airport is likley to shoulder the load of Patna airport which is expected to reach its saturation point by the 2030s, according to the report.
Bihta airport is expected to house more than 60 check-in counters and over 15 kiosks for self check-in. On completion, Bihta airport is envisaged to have a handlign capacity for 3,000 passengers in peak hours. Bihta aiport is expected to handle 5 million passngers per annum over a 20-year period, according to officials.
The plan also reportedly includes 2 greenfield airports in Gujarat, namely, Ankleshwar and Dwarka. The Centre is also eyeing the set up of civilian enclaves near air force stations such as:
S.No.
Air Force station
State
1
Thanjavur
Tamil Nadu
2
Thoise
Ladakh
3
Hasimara
West Bengal
Other changes planned
The 5-year plan may also include the upgradation of airports to support large body jets. Currently, many airports in smaller cities support turboprop operations. Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep Islands will receive visual flight rules (VFR) operations for narrow-body jets of the variety of Airbus A320s. VFR entails flight navigation using ground visual reference and avoidance of visual obstruction to other jets,
In Uttarakhand’s Pantnagar, there is an opportunity for upgradation to instrument flight rules (IFR) for narrowbody jets. IFR entails flight navigation using intruments in the flight deck for reference. This is useful when visuals are not clear and pilots utilise instrument readings for safe navigation. Mysuru airport operations are likley to receive a cpaacity upgrade to handle narrowbody jets, the Mint reported.
The Centre is chalking out a 5-year plan for 50 airports in India’s smaller cities anticipating a rise in air passenger traffic, infrastructure development and expansion in business activity. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
