Lok Sabha Question No. 5011 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-25
Subject: Upgradation of Air Services
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5011 (To be answered on the 25th March 2021)

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## UPGRADATION OF AIR SERVICES

5011.

SHRI TR BAALU

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (2) the details of initiatives taken by the Government to upgrade air services in the country;
2. (c) whether India will surpass the United Kingdom to become the world'$ third largest aviation market by 20242
3. (b) the measures taken by the Government to increase airport capacity, automation; more airports in Metro cities viz. in Delhi and Mumbai up to three airports and aim for carbon-neutral growth; and

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

- (a) & (b): Upgradation of airports and air services in the country is a continuous process. The Government has taken various steps for development and upgradation of air services in the country which, inter-alia, include:
- () Upgradation and expansion of existing airports
- (iii) Developmenthrevival of airports under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)
- () Construction 0f new Greenfield airports
- (iv) Promoting private investments in existing and new airports through the Public Private Partnership (PPP)
- (vi) Route rationalisation in coordination with Indian Air Force for efficient
- (v) Enabling improvement in air navigation infrastructure at Indian airports and induction 0f latest technologies in this regard
- airspace management shorter routes and reduced consumption of aviation fuel (vii) Reduction in GST rate to 5% for domestic Maintenance; Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services
- (ix) Encouraging greater use of digital technology at air cargo terminals to enhance efficiency and reduce dwell times and
- (viii) Encouraging paperless handling of passengers at airports using biometrics and digital boarding passes to adhere to health norms and enhance efficiency of passenger flow management
- (x) Encouraging leading aircraft and component manufacturers to enhance their design; manufacturing,maintenance and warehousing footprint in India.

Airport operators including Airports Authority of India (AAI) have embarked upon & Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plan for development modernisation / upgradation %f airports in the country during next five years Further, to reduce the check-in time Of passengers at the airports equipment Such a8 Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE); Common User Self Service (CUSS) Kiosk, Scanners constructed moderg; state-of-the art Air Traffic Flow Management Central Command Center at Delhi which has become operational from 32.06.2019. The central command center functions as the nodal point for nationwide Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) monitoring and managing air traffic demand congestion at maior airports and airspace across the country ATFM improves predictability Of flight operations and thereby helps airlines to operate flights on time as far aS practicable Besides that, AAI has taken various other initiatives such as implementation of Airport Collaborative Decision Making system; upgradation of Instrument Landing Systems, installation of Advanced Surface Movement and Guidance Control System to improve o time performance by airlines

As regards more airports in Metro Cities viz Delhi and Mumbai; Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted 'in principle' approval for up of new airports at Navi Mumbai and Jewar (Noida), Which are intended to serve as the second airport for passengers of Mumbai and Delhi respectively. Further, under the Regional Connectivity Scheme; civil operations have commenced from Hindon Airport which is located in Delhi National Capital Region. setting

In order to reduce carbon-emission; AAI has commissioned 44.87 MW capacity solar power plants at 51 Airports and has further undertaken installation Of 15.76 MW capacity solar power plant at 06 Airports: AAI has also implemented Airports Council International (ACi) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Programme at four (4) airports viz Kolkata, Bhubaneswar; Varanasi & Trivandrum to assess the carbon emission reduction by usage of clean renewable resources\_ Route rationalisation in coordination with Indian Air Force for efficient airspace management has also led to shorter flying routes and reduced consumption of

- 275 million domestic and 69.48 million international passengers, at the airports with more than 85 international airlines operating to India connecting over 40 countries, prior to Covid-19.