Putting North India on the global air map

A number of established international airlines including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Kuwait Airways, Etihad and SriLankan operate regular flights from various parts of the world to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

In a bid to make it easier for tourists and others to travel from Agra to Khajurao and the holy city of Varanasi, Air India recently launched a three times a week flight linking these cities.

The move has seen Agra coming back on to the air map of the country. In many ways, the launch of the new flight epitomises the potential that exists in North India not only for developing airports and air routes for tourism, but also for economic activities.

NEW AIRPORTS

According to officials of the State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), catering to the growing demand in North India, there are 28 operational and three non-operational airports in the region.

Also, two airports at Bikaner and Bhatinda are under construction.

In addition, AAI plans to develop the Kishanganj airport in Rajasthan into a full-fledged airport subject to the State Government transferring land. Creating civil enclaves in both Jaisalmer and Bikaner is also on AAI’s radar. Besides, a civil enclave is also proposed at Bareillly, Uttar Pradesh.

“Feasibility of developing State Government airports at Meerut, Moradabad and Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh for scheduled civil operations subject to land transfer by the State Government is also being examined,” a senior AAI connected with the projects, said. On the anvil is also a plan to develop the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udyan Academy at Fursatganj in Uttar Pradesh to cater to scheduled civil operations.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

It is not only the domestic flyers who are being targeted to visit North India.

To facilitate the arrival of international passengers directly into more cities in the region, the Government recently declared Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh as international airports.

This means more international airlines can now apply to the Indian Government for operating flights to these cities.

These will provide seamless connectivity for tourists and others coming to the region for business interests.

Besides, Chandigarh and Agra are customs airports and can receive international flights. A number of international airlines already operate to the region.

These include the Dubai-based low cost airline flyDubai, which operates regular flights between Lucknow and Delhi.

Besides, a number of established international airlines including British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Kuwait Airways, Etihad and SriLankan operate regular flights from various parts of the world to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport which was modernised in 2007.

The region also has air strips that support basic operations for both aircraft and helicopters.

Realising the business potential that exists in North India, not only do established domestic airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways and low-cost airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet operate regular services linking various cities in the region, but recently Religare has also started services linking many cities.

These domestic airlines also help flyers reach various smaller cities in the region from Delhi and other parts of the country.

RS 1,000 CR FOR AIRPORTS

Keeping in mind the potential of the region, AAI plans to spend about Rs 1,000 crore during the 12th Plan for developing airports in North India.

The reason for this hectic pace for developing airports in North India is not difficult to gauge.

AAI officials point out that air traffic in the north region has been growing on the fast track since 2003-04. “In the last 10 years, passenger traffic recorded a compounded annual traffic growth rate of 16.3 per cent per annum, with domestic passenger traffic recording a growth of 18.4 per cent, while there was a 11.7 per cent growth in international passenger traffic,” AAI officials said.

The total passenger traffic touched 47 million in 2011-12 up from 10.21 million in 2001-02.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/putting-north-india-on-the-global-air-map/article4290566.ece