Centre prepares 5-year plan for 50+ new airports in smaller cities

livemint.com:

New Delhi: The Centre has prepared a five-year plan for developing and expanding more than 50 airports in smaller cities, two senior officials aware of the development said on condition of anonymity. The move is in line with anticipated growth in air travel demand in these cities.

The plan, which has been put together by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), aims to develop airport infrastructure across different projects that are either underway or will be undertaken by the central government, states, or private players, until 2030. The plans come at a time when Indian domestic air traffic is showing strong signs of growth.

Data from the ministry of civil aviation showed that domestic air traffic touched a new high of 477,554 passengers on 2 September, nearly 1.5% higher than the previous record of 470,751 passengers recorded on 21 April earlier this year. In particular focus among new airports is Bihta, which is set to serve as the second airport for Bihar’s capital Patna.

The foundation ceremony for the airport is slated for end-2024 as the government prepares for growing air travel demand at Patna airport, which is likely to get saturated around early 2030s. Once completed, the airport will offer facilities such as over 60 check-in counters, more than 15 self-check-in kiosks, and will be able to handle 3,000 passengers during peak hours with an annual capacity to reach up to 5 million passengers over the next 20 years.

The five-year plan also includes greenfield (new) airports such as Ankleshwar and Dwarka in Gujarat, the people cited above said. “Over the next five years, we can expect significant growth in air travel demand from cities in India that are currently underserved or unserved," said Pragya