TBM Staff - Mumbai
The demand for air travel in India is expected to remain strong in the near future, driven by factors like rising disposable income in tier-II and tier-III cities. This growing demand has underscored the need for new airports and improved multimodal transport connectivity across the country.
To address this, the Centre has launched a study on 300 potential airstrips that can be developed as brownfield airports to expand air connectivity to diverse destinations. Unlike greenfield airports, which are built from scratch, brownfield airports have existing infrastructure such as runways and terminal buildings, making the development process more efficient.
Jaideep Mirchandani, Chairman, Sky One, emphasises that clear policy guidelines are crucial to determine whether a greenfield or brownfield airport should be developed in a particular area. These guidelines can be based on parameters like the traffic volume at nearby terminals, the available infrastructure facilities, and the region’s potential for trade, tourism, and foreign investment.
The government is also actively increasing connectivity by adding new airports and domestic routes under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – RCS UDAN. As of June 2024, India has 157 operational airports, and 60 new routes were commenced in 2023.
Additionally, six new airports were operationalised last year, including Rourkela, Hollongi, Jamshedpur, Cooch Behar, Utkela, and Shivamogga.
According to Mirchandani, the development of regional aviation hubs in strategic locations will help distribute air travel more evenly, and the modernisation of existing airports will enhance capacity and integrate new technologies to increase efficiency.
These regional airports can connect smaller cities to major airports and then to international destinations, reducing the stress on major airports.
Mirchandani also highlights that the growth in business activities, especially with the rise of startups in tier-II cities, has increased the need for efficient travel options for business travellers. The modernisation of regional airports will enable airlines to offer direct flight options to these important business destinations.
