AAI-Delhi airport feud risks stalling India growth story with air train impasse
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the operator of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital, are locked in a tussle over the development of a proposed air train. This train is designed to connect the airport’s three terminals, its cargo hub, and Aerocity, a zone hosting numerous hotels and office complexes. Two key issues dominate the debate: the project's financing and the number of stops the air train should have.
These decisions are critical not just for the project's success but also in the broader context of enhancing India's status as a travel hub and reaping economic benefits from a well-functioning international airport. Globally, direct flight connectivity to major cities is a hallmark of a business hub, a status enjoyed by cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, but not yet by any city in India. With the Indian economy expanding, and its resultant growth in global travel for business and leisure, Indian airports have the potential to emerge as global aviation hubs.
This development is essential for tapping into India’s vast tourism potential and catering to the increasing international travel needs of residents and visitors alike. The Delhi airport’s three terminals do require efficient, economic connectivity. To that end, the proposed air train, running on elevated tracks, makes eminent sense.
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