AAI: Connecting India

It started with a view to accelerate the integrated development, expansion and modernisation of the air traffic services, passenger terminals, operational areas and cargo facilities at the airports in the country. AAI is a Mini Ratna – Category I Public Sector Enterprise.

The main functions of the Authority: 

• Control and management of the Indian air space (excluding special user air space) extending beyond the territorial limits of the country as accepted by ICAO.

• Provision of Communication, Navigational and Surveillance Aids.

• Expansion and strengthening of operational areas viz Runways, Aprons, Taxiways, etc and provision of ground based landing and movement control aids for aircraft and vehicular traffic in operational area.

• Design, development, operation and maintenance of passenger terminals.

• Development and management of cargo terminals at international and domestic airports.

• Provision of passenger facilities and information systems in the passenger terminals.

AAI provides Air Navigation Services (ANS) at all civil airports in the country. AAI manages the designated Indian air space measuring 2.8 million square nautical miles which includes land area measuring 1.05 million square nautical miles and oceanic airspace measuring 1.75 million square nautical miles. Air Navigation Services are also provided by the AAI at 9 other airports that are not managed by AAI namely Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Lengpui, Diu, Latur, Mundra, Nanded and Sathya Sai Puttaparthy Airports, which are joint venture airports, state government owned airports and private airports.

During the year 2015-16, 223.85 million passengers, 1.78 million aircraft movements, 2.71 million MT of cargo were handled at all Indian airports registering a growth of 17.7%, 11.1% and 7.1% respectively over the previous year. During the year 2014-15, 190.13 million passengers, 1.60 million aircraft movements, 2.53 million MT of cargo were handled at all Indian airports registering a growth of 12.6%, 4.3% and 11.0% respectively over the previous year.

CAGR for the last 10 years for passengers, aircraft and cargo are 11.8%, 7.8% and 6.8% respectively which indicates strong growth over the 10 years. Passengers at all Indian airports have more than doubled in 7 years while aircraft movements and cargo handled have doubled respectively in 10 and 11 years. Share of international traffic is 24.6%, 21.0% and 61.1% respectively for passengers, aircrafts and cargo movements.

The Revenue of AAI during the year 2015-16 is expected to increase from Rs 9,284.98 crore (2014-15) to Rs 10,317.09 crore. The profit after tax during 2015-16 is also expected to increase to Rs 2,025.05 crore from Rs 1,959.22 crore (2014-15).

The Revenue of AAI during the year 2014-15 has increased to Rs 9,284.98 crore from Rs 7,948.47 crore (2013-14). The profit after tax during 2014-15 has also increased to Rs 1,959.22 crore from Rs 796.33 crore (2013-14).

On 21st April, 2015 India became the first country in the equatorial Ionospheric region and 3rd in the world to certify India’s first satellite navigation ie GAGAN for approaches with vertical guidance (APV1) service over Indian landmass. GAGAN was already certified for enroute operations (RNP0.1) in Indian Flight Information Region and is in operations since 30th December, 2013.

1. Inauguration of New Civil Air Terminal at Bikaner on 29th June, 2014.

2. Inauguration of New Integrated Terminal Building at Khajuraho (cost Rs 75 crore) on 1st January, 2016 and operationalised on 21st February, 2016.

3. Inauguration of New Integrated Terminal Building at Chandigarh (Mohali) (cost Rs 924 crore) on 11th September, 2015 and operationalised on 19th October, 2015.

4. Widening and strengthening of runway completed at Shimla.

5. Extension of runway to 12,000 ft with CAT-III facilities completed at Jaipur, commission of extended runway in process.

6. Foundation stone laid for New Terminal Building at Gorakhpur on 17th March, 2016.

1. New Terminal Building at Tirupati airport (cost Rs 174 Crore) was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 22nd October, 2015 and operationalised on 21st November, 2015.

2. Foundation stone laid for construction of New Interim Terminal Building at Vijayawada.

3. Construction of apron work started for 10 aircraft parking bays at Vijayawada, 4 at Tirupati, 6 in Vishakhapatnam and 3 in Rajahmundry.

4. Construction of part Parallel Taxi Track started in Trivandrum.

5. Runway construction work completed at Hubli and Belgaum; Commissioning waited.

6. New Airport inaugurated in Kadappa on 7th June, 2015.

1. Construction of CISF Barracks started in New Terminal at Goa.

2. New Integrated Terminal Building (cost Rs 116 crore) nearing completion in Vadodara. PDC June, 2016.

1. Extension of runway from 6,000ft to 7,500ft started at Dibrugarh.

2. Runway and apron works completed at Tezu.

3. Construction of 3 hangars completed at Guwahati inaugurated on 30th January, 2015.

AAI has been giving focus for creation of international cargo handling facilities so far. The Domestic Cargo operation at remaining airports have presently been entrusted to the operating airlines till such time the Common User domestic Air Cargo Terminal(s) are established during the FY 2015-16 at another two more Airports viz Bhubaneshwar and Goa airports where modification work is in progress. Ranchi/Surat/Pune/Guwahati/Vizag/Indore/Trichy Trivandrum (International courier facility) during 2016-17.

• AAI is also undertaking many activities which will not only reduce the congestion at Metro Airports, but also provide better connectivity between Metro and Non-Metro Airports.

• A movement for paperless transactions in Cargo Operations has been commenced by introducing Web based EDI by connecting Trade Partners viz Cargo Agents, Exporter/Importers,Customs and Banks.

• Reduction in free period to reduce the Dwell Time (from 5 working days to 72 hrs) in Import and export Operations.

• Creating of Pharma Zone: Entire Cargo handling operation is computerised and managed through Integrated Cargo Management Systems (ICMS) installed at the Airports. The Pharma shipments are regularly being handled and provided storage accordingly.