Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Increase in Domestic Air Traffic
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 230 (To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## INCREASE IN DOMESTIC AIR TRAFFIC

## 230. SHRI MANOJ KOTAK

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a): Yes, Sir. India has witnessed double-digit Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.5% in terms of domestic passenger traffic during the period 2014-15 to 2019-20. During 2020-21 and 2021-22, there was a dip in domestic air traffic due to impact of Covid-19 pandemic. The domestic air traffic has again picked up pace during the current financial year i.e. 2022-23 and is expected to reach around 97% of the pre-covid level.
- (b):  The Government is proactively supporting the aviation sector by providing a stable policy environment and incentivising competition led growth.  In 2016, the Government released the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016), which laid out the vision, mission and key objectives for the sector. The Government  announced new MRO guidelines on 1st September, 2021 with a view to create a congenial atmosphere in the country for the development of the MRO industry for aircrafts/ helicopters/ drones and their engines and other parts. These guidelines inter-alia provide for the allotment of land at AAI airports through call of open tenders without levy of any royalty or cess of whatsoever  nature  to  MRO  operators.  Similarly,  liberalised  Flying  Training Organisation (FTO) guidelines have been approved wherein the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalised to encourage setting up of FTOs to address the shortage of pilots in the country. The Government has also formulated Helicopter Operation Policy to encourage helicopter operations creating demand and growth.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there has been heavy increase in domestic air traffic in the country in recent years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to improve the airport infrastructure along with development of the civil aviation sector in the country according to the increased air traffic/passengers;
- (c) the present status of UDAN Scheme, Krishi Udan Scheme, developments of airports and greenfield airports especially in Maharashtra;
- (d) whether the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport developers have targeted capital outlay of approximately Rs. 98,000 crore for development/upgradation of airports; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

(c) to (e):  The Government has approved the 'Revival of unserved and under-served airports' scheme for the revival and development of 100 unserved and under-served airports. Helipad and Water Aerodromes by 2024. As on 27.01.2023, after four rounds of bidding under UDAN, 459 routes have commenced, operationalizing 72 Airports including 2 Water Aerodrome & 9 Heliports. Under the scheme,  Kolhapur, Solapur, Ozar  (Nasik),  Amravati,  Sindhudurg  and  Ratnagiri,    airports  in  the  State  of Maharashtra have been identified for revival/development. Development/Upgradation of Airports at Ratnagiri and Solapur depends upon the fulfillment of land availability, removal of obstacles, regulatory compliances, etc. Amravati Airport is being developed by the State Government. Krishi Udan 2.0 focuses on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, north-eastern states and tribal areas. Total 58 airports in the NER, Hilly Tribal Region & Islands and Other areas have been identified to incentivize movement of Air Cargo. Nasik and Pune Airports are covered under the Krishi Udan Scheme in the State of Maharashtra. In order to boost the aviation infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport developers have taken up the development of new and existing airports with a projected capital expenditure of approximately Rs 98,000 crore in the next five years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals and strengthening of runways,  among  other  activities.  Under  Greenfield  Airport  Policy,  2008  of  the Government,  'in principle' approval has been accorded for setting up of 21 Greenfield airports  across  the  country  including  Navi  Mumbai,  Shirdi  and  Sindhudurg  in Maharashtra.  So far, ten Greenfield airports have already been operationalized. The upgradation/ modernisation of brownfield airports, including those in Maharashtra, is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators from time to time depending on the availability of land, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations, traffic demand/willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc. AAI has undertaken construction of residential quarters at Juhu Airport, construction of New domestic Terminal Building, ATC tower cum Technical Block cum Fire Station and associated work at Kolhapur Airport and construction of a New Integrated Terminal Building & associated works at Pune Airport.

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