Govt prepares ground for crowded skies

To develop non-metro airports through public-private participation model

NEW DELHI: With the rapid growth in air traffic, the government is increasingly seeking public-private participation in improving aviation infrastructure.

Civil aviation minister Praful Patel says besides the upgradation of major airports (Delhi and Mumbai) through the PPP model, 35 non-metro airports have also already been identified for upgradation and expansion in a similar fashion.

Patel’s emphasis on upgradation of existing small airports stems from the fact that with rapid growth in the number of passengers, the pressure on the two main airports - Delhi and Mumbai - needs to be eased.

According to estimates by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), domestic passenger traffic is expected to more than double to over 690 lakh by 2014 and international traffic is also expected to double to over 420 lakh by that year.

Besides seeking upgradation of airports in tier II and tier III towns, Patel is also keen to see regional airlines take off in a big way. Already, four regional airlines-MDLR, Air Dravida, Star Aviation and Trans India-are expecting a go ahead from the government to begin regional operations.

Speaking at the Economic Editors’ conference here, Patel said that against only 50 connected airports in the country in 2004, 80 such airports have been provided now and this number should touch 100 by 2008.

“Over the next decade, an airport should be within 50 km from where ever you stay.”

So, while airports at Kolkata and Chennai are being modernised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), this body would be taking up airside development work for most of the 35 non-metro airports already identified.

Some of the smaller airports that are in the process of being modernised include Amritsar, Udaipur, Trichy and Vizag. Also, airports at Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are also in the process of getting approved.

Answering queries on a policy on greenfield airports, the minister said it should be approved within a few months. Patel acknowledged that his ministry has forwarded the proposal for a greefield airport at Zevar, Greater Noida to the Cabinet for consideration.