13-July-2024-Editorial

INDIA’S AMBITIOUS AIRPORT EXPANSION PLAN 

India plans to increase the number of its operational airports to 300 by the year 2047. This expansion is driven by a projected eightfold increase in passenger traffic. The plan includes upgrading existing airstrips and constructing new airports across the country.

Factors Driving the Expansion 

Development of Existing Airstrips:

• Upgrading Current Airstrips: Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to upgrade 70 airstrips to handle narrow-body aircraft like A320 or B737.
• Small Aircraft Upgrades: Existing airstrips in Mandavi (Gujarat), Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Tura (Meghalaya), and Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh) will be upgraded for small aircraft.
• Development for Smaller Aircraft: Around 40 airstrips are slated for development to accommodate smaller aircraft.
• New Airports: New airports will be built if existing airstrips cannot be developed or if there is no civilian airport within 50 km.
• Greenfield Airports: New greenfield airports may be constructed in Kota (Rajasthan), Parandur (Tamil Nadu), Kottayam (Kerala), Puri (Odisha), Purandar (Maharashtra), Car Nicobar, and Minicoy (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Projected Passenger Traffic Growth:

• Rise in Passenger Traffic: The number of passengers is projected to grow from 376 million to between 3 and 3.5 billion annually by 2047.
• International Traffic: International traffic may make up 10-12% of this growth.
• Vision 2047: The expansion is part of Vision 2047, aimed at accommodating the massive increase in air travel demand.

UDAN Scheme Implementation:

• Improving Connectivity: The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme improves connectivity to tier-II and -III cities.
• Operational Airports Increase: From 74 operational airports in 2014 to 148 now.
• Connected Destinations: UDAN has connected 68 underserved/unserved destinations, including 58 airports, 8 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes.
• State Connectivity: The scheme has provided air connectivity to over 29 states/union territories.

Rising Income Levels:

• Economic Growth: India’s economy is projected to grow substantially by 2047, with per capita income expected to reach USD 18,000-USD 20,000.
• Affordable Air Travel: Higher disposable incomes make air travel more affordable for a larger segment of the population.
• Preference for Air Travel: A growing middle class is likely to choose air travel over other modes of transportation for business and leisure.
• Business and Tourism Boost: Increased business activities and tourism resulting from economic growth will further boost demand for air travel.

Anticipated Growth in Air Cargo:

• E-commerce Demand: E-commerce growth is driving demand for efficient air freight services.
• Global Cargo Market: India aims to become a major player in the global air cargo market.
• Enhanced Cargo Capabilities: New and expanded airports will have enhanced cargo-handling capabilities.

Development of Major International Hubs:

• Competing with Global Hubs: India aims to position its major airports as international hubs, competing with established hubs in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Attracting Airlines: Expansion and modernization of existing airports and development of new ones to attract more international airlines and passengers.
• Transit Traffic and Tourism: The goal is to increase transit traffic and boost tourism and business travel to India.

Under-Penetration of Air Travel:

• Low Penetration Rate: India’s aviation market is one of the largest in the world, but air travel penetration is still low compared to developed countries.
• Comparative Analysis: Comparisons with major markets show that India has a significant growth opportunity as income levels rise and air travel becomes more accessible.

Challenges  

Land Scarcity:

• Urbanization Impact: Increasing urbanization is exacerbating the land shortage, particularly in larger towns and cities.
• Cost and Availability: The cost and availability of land may impact the viability of many airport projects.

Massive Investment Requirements:

• Funding Needs: India needs more than USD 40 billion in airport development by 2047.
• Total Expenditure: Total expenditure could reach USD 70-80 billion, including upgrades to airspace infrastructure and ground transportation.

Infrastructure Constraints:

• Saturation of Existing Airports: Many existing airports are reaching or have reached saturation, including critical hubs like Mumbai.
• Need for New Airports: Several cities urgently need new airports or significant expansions of existing ones.

Air Navigation Services (ANS) Infrastructure:

• Investment in ANS: Significant investments (possibly up to USD 6-7 billion) are needed in ANS technology, people, and training.

Surface Transportation:

• Ground Transportation Investment: Investment required in ground transportation to/from airports could be almost as much as that in the airports themselves.
• Connectivity Challenges: Insufficient surface connectivity may affect the feasibility and convenience of new airports.

Environmental Concerns:

• Opposition to Expansions: Airport expansions often face opposition due to potential environmental impacts, including noise pollution and habitat disruption.

Way Forward 

Integrated Land Use Planning:

• Aerotropolis Concept: Create special economic zones around airports, combining the airport with business, logistics, and residential areas to justify land acquisition and maximize economic benefits.

Multi-Modal Transportation Integration:

• Transportation Hubs: Develop integrated transportation hubs like Frankfurt Airport’s long-distance train station, connecting the airport directly to the national rail network for enhanced airport accessibility.

Green Airport Design:

• Sustainable Practices: Prioritize sustainable and environmentally friendly airport designs, adopting practices like biomass heating systems and eco-friendly technologies.
• Future Expansion Flexibility: Design airports with flexibility for future expansion and adaptation to changing aviation trends.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP):

• Attracting Investment: Leverage PPP models to attract investment and expertise, using frameworks similar to the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.
• Efficient Operations: PPP can help address investment requirements while ensuring efficient airport operations.

Capacity Enhancement of Existing Airports:

• Technological Improvements: Maximize capacity through technological and operational improvements, such as advanced air traffic management systems and optimized runway usage.

Smart Airport Technologies:

• Enhancing Efficiency: Adopt cutting-edge technologies like biometric boarding and automated baggage handling systems to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Conclusion 

India’s ambitious plan to double its operational airports to 300 by 2047 aims to accommodate the expected surge in passenger and cargo traffic. Addressing challenges such as land scarcity, investment needs, and environmental concerns through strategic planning, sustainable design, and technological advancements will be crucial in achieving this goal.