Govt pursuing efforts to set up second airport in major cities


PTI, Jun 9, 2019, 3:17 PM IST

Seoul: To meet rising passenger demand, the civil aviation ministry is pursuing efforts to have a second airport in major cities and requesting state governments to reserve land for building the aerodromes, according to a senior official.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said second aerodromes are required in major Indian cities, considering the way the aviation sector is growing. State-owned AAI manages 125 airports, including 11 international aerodromes.

Noting that land acquisition is a problem in the country, Mohapatra said at least 2,000 acres of land is required for construction of an airport.

“We have been writing to state governments from the ministry and the AAI to reserve land somewhere in the vicinity of the city for a second airport and use land restrictions so that structures do not come up,” he told PTI in an interview.

While Mumbai and Delhi are set to have a second airport, Visakhapatnam might also have a second aerodrome.

“We are (also) trying for Kolkata, Chennai, Pune and other places,” Mohapatra said while speaking on the sidelines of a conference here recently.

India has been one of the fastest growing domestic aviation markets in the world. However, passenger traffic growth turned negative in April in the wake of the crisis at full-service carrier Jet Airways, which subsequently suspended operations due to cash crunch.

In April, all operational airports handled 26.70 million passengers and 2,75,150 tonnes of freight, as per latest AAI data.

Global airlines’ grouping IATA has said that India and China are projected to account for nearly half of the air passenger growth worldwide over the next two decades, with travellers coming from all walks of life.

Responding to a query on Jet Airways, Mohapatra said there has been no impact on the finances of the AAI.

“We took back all the money that Jet had to pay (as dues). We monitor airlines’ dues very seriously in a structured manner and we have recovered whatever dues they owed

to us,” he noted. However, Mohapatra also said the suspension of operations by Jet Airways had a significant impact as around 700 slots at airports fell vacant.

A significant number of slots vacated by Jet Airways have been awarded to other airlines on a temporary basis.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

India crawl to 51 for 4 after losing top-order

Nursing student suicide: Three students arrested in Kerala

Nadda’s letter to Kharge full of falsehoods: Cong

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

Related Articles More

Baku climate talks: The ‘X’ factor that could determine future of Global South

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

Gautam Adani charged in US with USD 250 mn bribery, fraud

India’s GDP growth likely to slip at 6.5 pc, maintains 7 pc estimate for FY25: Icra

RBI cautions public about ‘deepfake’ video of governor being circulated on social media

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

US charges against Adani, 7 others could lead to arrest warrants, extradition bid: attorney

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

Baku climate talks: The ‘X’ factor that could determine future of Global South

Kerala HC denies bail to police officer accused of ‘raping’ minor Dalit girl

Global Bhagavad Gita Quiz Announced: Registration now open

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.