The info launched by aviation consultancy firm CAPA India in April this year underlines India’s solid presence within the worldwide aviation market. The country’s global air visitors is estimated at 69.7 million passengers in 2023-24, recording a 22.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase. The preference of domestic passengers last year used to be 153.4 million, registering a 13.46 p.c increase from the old year.
Alternatively, even because the aviation switch is anticipated to abet this increase, the infrastructure at primary airports is struggling to abet tempo. Newest recordsdata experiences own additionally targeted on concerns pertaining to overcrowded terminals, prolonged queues at security checkpoints, frequent flight delays, ensuing passenger dissatisfaction and operational challenges.
The need for extra investment in aviation, especially in airport infrastructure, used to be indisputably one of the most primary functions highlighted by the Financial Gape 2023-24. Though the preference of airports in India has almost doubled within the last 10 years, the stumble on indicated that the rising surge in demand of for air lope within the country would possibly perhaps perchance also easiest be met by adding extra airports. “This is the staunch time to place into effect these expansion plans. If we don’t extend and modernise airport infrastructure now, we possibility stifling the expansion that has positioned India on the worldwide aviation blueprint,” says Jaideep Mirchandani, crew chairman of aviation primary Sky One.
Earlier in March, the authorities launched 15 airport initiatives, including 12 glossy terminal constructions with a blended capability to aid 615 lakh passengers yearly. As of June 2024, India has 157 operational airports, and the Civil Aviation Ministry has published its fearless target of 300 operational airports by 2047.
“Steps must peaceable be taken to promote integrated land employ by creating special economic zones around airports, and combining switch, logistics, and residential areas. Multi-modal transportation integration, adopting green airport designs utilizing sustainable supplies and technologies, and intriguing Public-Non-public Partnerships (PPPs) would additionally attract investment and expertise would possibly perhaps perchance also additionally again with airport infrastructure development,” suggests Mr Mirchandani.
At repeat, a chief amount of Indian global air visitors relies on connectivity hubs within the Center East and South Asia. Jaideep Mirchandani believes that bettering capability can present a steal to Indian airways, helping them to offer prolonged-haul lope from the country.
Highlighting that higher airport infrastructure and products and companies can lead to happier travellers and further switch, Jaideep Mirchandani additionally moots technological integration and concludes, “By incorporating though-provoking airport technologies equivalent to biometric boarding and automatic baggage facing, airports can offer a closer trip to travellers.”
