If airline operators were asked for their wish list every year, topping the chart would be ‘Slots in Mumbai’. Costlier, perhaps many times more than the real estate in India’s maximum city, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) – along with the other metro airports – is crying out for desperately-needed infrastructure that will enhance capacity.
Those two days were flashes in the Mumbai airport pan. Try as hard as it can, the airport cannot do the high numbers it has recorded, every day. Reason: It has no capacity.
The grim situation at Mumbai has been replicated across the country – as if a template. Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, all have either run out of slots to offer to airlines or are offering slots for red-eye flights alone. Bengaluru has seen a delay in the building of its second runway and the first saw increase in capacity after a while. Hyderabad, on the other hand, is battling terminal capacity constraints.
While the major metros face challenges, the country has a peculiar problem with airports in other cities. The terminal, apron and runway capacity have a mismatch. Take the case of Patna, which has consistently seen above-industry average growth in the last decade. The runway can handle more movements but the apron is congested and the terminal cannot handle full load of passengers if all the aircraft that the apron can accommodate are on ground at the same time. The problem is so acute that Airports Authority of India (AAI – the operator of the airport) has pitched temporary tents to be used till the terminal is expanded. Such stop gap arrangements, unfortunately, are not growth drivers.
The situation repeats itself at Pune, Guwahati and many more airports across the country. Sadly this also includes airports like Jaipur and Ahmedabad which saw new terminal infrastructure being created in the last few years as part of development of nonmetro airports.
Airport infrastructure – Challenges for airlines
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Cruising Heights.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Cruising Heights.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Jets, Tech, And Green Goals
The key themes at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 revolved around innovation and sustainability. Sizeable aircraft orders, advancements in eVTOL technology, and a strong commitment to environmental goals underscore an industry that is not only rebounding from past challenges but also setting the stage for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future, reports ATUL CHANDRA.
FREIGHT IN FLIGHT
In 2023, Indian airports handled over 3.15 million metric tonnes of cargo, with international freight dominating. As the sector aims to meet the government's ambitious annual target of 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030, this goal will require dedicated freighter aircraft, technological integration, infrastructure development, and regulatory improvements, among other things. By JAIDEEP MIRCHANDANI, Chairman, Sky One
ELEVATING PASSENGER EXPERIENCES
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is setting new standards in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) with the launch of its state-of-the-art software design and development facility in Pune, highlights
CAUGHT IN PAPER JAM
Despite rapid digital advancements in passenger air travel with the airline market expected to surpass $35 billion by end of this decade, the air cargo industry remains bogged down by outdated legacy systems, impeding progress in efficiency and real-time tracking. A special report by
PITCHING FOR SUPPORT
India's air cargo industry is gearing up for a major transformation, aiming to nearly triple its capacity by 2030. Current infrastructure handles about 6.5 million tonnes, but meeting future goals will require significant investments to expand capacity, streamline operations, and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Industry leaders at a recent ACFI Annual Conclave emphasised the need for strong government support to overcome challenges, urging policymakers to address operational constraints and improve connectivity, reports
BATTLE FOR THE SKIES
As India's international air traffic experiences significant growth over the past few decades, the competition between Air India and IndiGo intensifies. Vistara's merger within Air India and the significant aircraft orders position the combined entity as a formidable player, while IndiGo's ambitious expansion plans and international focus set the stage for a competitive future, analyses
"We Aim to Bridge the Training Gap in Indian Aviation"
In a candid conversation with CRUISING HEIGHTS, KHUSHBEG JATTANA, General Manager India of Simaero, discusses the strategic timing of Simaero's entry into the Indian aviation market. He addresses the challenges posed by existing pilot training programmes from major airlines like Air India and IndiGo, and elaborates on Simaero's plans to complement these efforts with state-of-the-art training solutions. Jattana also sheds light on the potential growth in the South Asian region and the company's vision for the future.
POWERING UP
Urban Air Mobility providers are accelerating their eVTOL development programmes, reports
Transforming Air Traffic Control Training: CAE's Cutting-Edge Approach
In this interview, MARIE-CHRISTINE CLOUTIER, CAE's Vice-President of Performance, Strategy, and Marketing, discusses CAE's air traffic control training program. Highlighting strategic partnerships, advanced technologies, and global initiatives, the interview reveals how CAE addresses the growing demand for skilled air traffic controllers and flight service specialists. From their dedicated Montreal facility to expanding efforts across the globe, CAE is committed to providing tailored, state-of-the-art training solutions for the aviation industry's future.
POWERING A GREEN FUTURE
FIA 2024 witnessed a growing order book for aircraft engine manufacturers and provided important insights into the development of sustainable powerplants.
