Airports

New Delhi,30th May 2023: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has simplified the process for the grant of Heliport License. Now the applications for NOC/Clearance to five external organizations can be routed through a single tab in the applicant’s eGCA profile. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grants Heliport License/ Operational Authorization to the heliports at the surface level as well as at elevated /rooftop of the buildings in compliance with Aircraft Rules and the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs). Applicants desirous of obtaining a license/ authorization are required to submit an online application to DGCA through the eGCA portal. Earlier, before submitting the online applications, applicants were required to apply to the following five organizations through online/ physical mode to obtain NOC/Clearance: 1. Ministry of Home 2. Ministry of Defence 3. Ministry of Environment and Forest 4. Airport Authority of India 5. Local Administration The above process has now been simplified and a separate tab has been provided in the applicant’s eGCA profile. The applications for NOC/Clearance to five external organizations can be routed through this tab via the URL link/email of the respective organizations. This has simplified the process for the applicants, and they can now apply for NOC/Clearances through a single window provided on the eGCA portal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation under the leadership of Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has laid special focus on ease of doing business. The eGCA (e-Governance in Directorate General of Civil Aviation) portal was launched by Shri Scindia in November 2021 with an aim to enhance the efficiency of the various services provided by the DGCA. It is pertinent to mention that Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched UDAN 5.1 to further enhance the connectivity to remote areas of the country and achieve last mile connectivity, including through helicopters. This initiative will further ease and ensure the successes of UDAN 5.1.

New Delhi, 26th May 2023: Moving towards better aerial connectivity, Kanpur today witnessed the inauguration of a New Civil Enclave by Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh and Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel. General (Dr.) V. K. Singh (Retd.), Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Road Transport and Highways, Satish Mahana, Speaker, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, Devendra Singh (alias) Bhole Singh, Satyadev Pachauri and Ashok Kumar Rawat and Pramila Pandey, Mayor, Kanpur Municipal Corporation and other dignitaries from the state were also present during the event. In order to provide enhanced civil aviation infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India has developed a new upgraded Civil Enclave at Kanpur Airport in an area of 50 acres and has constructed a terminal building in 6243 sqm. area – 16 times bigger than the previous terminal building. Uttar Pradesh today boasts of strong connectivity through a wide network of expressways, industrial corridors and domestic and international airports. The newly-inaugurated Civil Enclave is equipped to handle 400 passengers during peak hour, as compared to 50 passengers earlier. The newly developed apron of the Civil Enclave is suitable for parking three A-321/ B-737 type of aircraft along with a new link Taxi Track of 713m X 23m. The new Terminal Building has eight check-in counters, three conveyor belts (one in Departure and two in Arrival Hall) and offers a retail and F&B area of 850 sqm. With enhanced parking capacity, the new airport will be able to accommodate 150 cars and two buses. The façade of Terminal Building in both city and air side depicts the temple architecture of the famous Bhitargaon and JK Temples of Kanpur. Interiors of the Terminal Building of the new civil enclave are based on various local themes based on textiles, leather industries and depict the city’s renowned public figures like Maharishi Valmiki and poet Shyamlal Gupta. The terminal has been designed integrating the culture and heritage of Kanpur and the state of Uttar Pradesh, hence, creating a sense of place for the visitors. The Terminal Building of the new civil enclave at Kanpur Airport is equipped with various sustainability features like double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing unit, rainwater harvesting to recharge ground water table, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant and use of recycled water for landscaping, solar power plant with capacity of 100 KWp and has been provided to meet GRIHA–IV ratings, a national green building rating system in the country denoting sustainable development and responsible resource management. Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India briefed the CM and HMCA about the state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities of the newly-constructed airport terminal. During his briefing, he highlighted the key features of the new terminal building and its capacity to handle significantly higher number of passengers and more airplanes. While addressing the audience present during the inauguration event, Shri. JyotiradityaScindia, Hon’ble Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel said, “that while in the year 2014, 652 aircraft operated every week in UP, that figure has now risen to 1595 aircraft per week now. While till 2014, 30,000 passengers travelled through Kanpur Airport every year, now, nearly 10 lac flyers will be able to avail air travel from this new Civil Enclave.” Yogi Adityanath stated that in future, the state will have an airport at nearly every commissionerate level. He also mentioned that Uttar Pradesh today enjoys the fruits of development under the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and that today herald a new chapter in the connectivity of Kanpur.

San Francisco,16th May, 2023: The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) reached a post-pandemic milestone last Thursday and Friday, exceeding 70,000 departing passengers per day through its checkpoints for the first time in over three years. Having cleared this threshold, SFO is looking forward to a busy summer travel season, forecasting the highest levels of passenger traffic since the pandemic began. The summer travel season will begin in earnest on Friday, May 26, 2023, with approximately 140,000 forecasted passengers traveling through SFO. In total, 14.9 million travelers are expected at SFO between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which represents about 85% of summer travel levels in 2019. Parking garages expected to be full – book in advance SFO expects parking garages to be at or near capacity during the summer travel season. SFO recommends that travelers take public transit or share rides to the airport.For parking, the airport recommends travelers book parking early using SFO’s online booking system. New airlines, new destinations for summer For the 2023 summer travel season, SFO offers new international airlines and destinations, including ITA and United Airlines to Rome, Norse Atlantic to London, and ZIPAIR to Tokyo. Airlines resuming service at SFO this summer include Iberia to Madrid, LEVEL to Barcelona, Qantas to Sydney, and Condor to Frankfurt.Domestic travelers also have more choices than ever before, with low-cost airline Breeze Airways launching nonstop service to Cincinnati and new nonstop service on United Airlines to New Orleans. AirTrain station at Harvey Milk Terminal 1 has reopened Taking the AirTrain people mover to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is easier than ever, thanks to the reopening of the station serving SFO’s newest terminal, which had been closed since July 2021 for construciton. Favorite amenities at SFO this summer The Wag Brigade, SFO’s team of certified stress-relief animals, including 28-lb Flemish Giant Rabbit, Alex the Great, will be on duty this summer. SFO’s world-famous Yoga Rooms are open in two post-security locations, in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Both facilities are open during passenger hours for free, self-guided use. SFO’s SkyTerrace outdoor observation deck is open on select days, located pre-security in Terminal 2. No ticket or boarding pass is required to access the SkyTerrace, but visitors will undergo a security check as they enter the space. Travelers can also enjoy the Aviation Museum and Library, and the SFO Museum Video Arts room, located pre-security in the International Terminal, which offers a free rotating selection of short films from artists around the world, each of which can be viewed in 4-5 minutes.

New Delhi, 3rd April, 2023: Airports Authority of India (AAI), the mainstay of Civil Aviation in the Country celebrated its 28th Annual Day on 1st April, 2023 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi with full grandeur. General (Dr.) VK Singh (Retd.), Minister of State for Civil Aviation,Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, MoCA, Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, AAI, Board Members, AAI and senior officials were present on this occasion. During his official address, HMoS congratulated all AAI employees and highlighted the exemplary contribution of AAI Employees in serving the nation during COVID pandemic. Chairman, AAI talked about the significant contribution of AAI in developing airports in tier-2 & tier-3 cities and enhancing the existing infrastructure of airports. On the eve of 28th Annual Day, awards were given away to AAI Airports &Teams by Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, AAI. The Gold Medalist Chess Team which won Gold Medal in Chess (Men & Women) at 42nd National Team Chess Championship – 2023 for Men & 20th National Team Chess Championship for Women-2023 under the aegis of All India Chess Federation, was honored by Chairman, AAI. Tiruchirappalli International Airport was honored for bagging the Best Airport awarded by ACI under 2 million passengers in Asia Pacific region. Three other airports;Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi; Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore and Goa International Airport were felicitated for achieving 1st, 2nd& 3rd Rank in ACI-ASQ survey 2022 among AAI airport. Customer Satisfaction Index awards were also presented to Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur (1st Rank); Ranchi Airport (2ndRank); Bhopal & Jammu Airport (3rdRank). Apart from this, various other awards like Member Awards were also presented on the occasion. The MPP team was awarded for formulation &implementation of OD Interventions towards policy outcomes derived from Employee Satisfaction Survey. Mumbai Project Team was felicitated for optimizing the Mumbai Airspace leading to improving safety, efficiency and economic gains for the industry and the ANSP both. Team ASMGCS was honored for incorporation of new runway and associated taxiways in ASMGCS system at IGI Airport providing coverage of the runway using existing sensors.Kolkata Project Team was also presented the Member Awards for Developing an in-house system for providing the Air Report (AIREP) using the IMD Data, used for better forecasting and briefing service to airline operators.

Dubai, UAE, March 21, 2023 VPorts, the world leader in the design, construction and operation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) Airport to build and operate a first vertiport in RAK designed to establish the UAE as a world-class global AAM hub. ‘‘With the support of the Department of Civil Aviation of Ras Al-Khaimah, we are excited to build and operate the first vertiport at Ras Al Khaimah Airport. This project will enable all AAM partners to accelerate the adoption and deployment of advanced air mobility in RAK and throughout the UAE,” said Dr. Fethi Chebil, President and Founder of VPorts. “This project is aligned with RAK’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 and with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, to achieve at least a 30% savings in electricity consumption and a 20% contribution from renewable energy by 2040,” said His Highness Eng. Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah. “We are committed to supporting the VPorts project and to enable AAM-related innovation and technology and know-how capacity building in the UAE and in RAK.” VPorts’ initial growth strategy is based on the regional transportation of goods, tourism and the efficient movement of patients, organs for transplants and medical equipment. The RAK vertiport, which will be established on a 10,000-square- metre site, will be designed for all types of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. VPorts’s vertiports will be opened for all eVTOLs manufacturers. Ralf Schustereder, CEO, Ras Al-Khaimah Airport stated that “Ras Al Khaimah Airport is pleased to sign this agreement with VPorts to set up a vertiport in our airport. RAK Airport is aiming to be a leading enabler of RAK’s economic and tourism growth. This project will position RAK Airport as part of a development plan and key player in advanced air mobility in RAK. We will provide VPorts with our full support to ensure its success and prosperity.” The first vertiport in RAK is aligned with VPorts’ strategy in the UAE and in the world By 2030, VPorts plans to extend its vertiport network to all major industrial areas across the UAE, providing a sustainable transportation solution via eVTOL aircraft. The network will focus on locations that optimize multimodal transportation connectivity, including Ras Al-Khaimah, Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. “We look forward to collaborating with each and every emirate to define the location of dedicated vertiports as well as safety and security regulations, flight corridors, urban integration and business community engagement for this important undertaking,’’ said Dr. Chebil. In December 2022, VPorts announced the signing a 25-year exclusive lease agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), renewable for a further 25 years, to establish a state-of-the-art integrator centre on a 37,000-square-metre site within Dubai South. Development and construction of the centre will start in 2023; it is expected to begin operations and conduct its first flight test in 2024. With the support of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the world’s first AAM integrator world centre in Dubai will feature a dedicated flight-testing airspace and innovative new technologies . “With our partners, we aim fostering the global growth of the international AAM industry and the certification of eVTOL aircraft,” said Dr. Chebil. VPorts will deploy its Vertiport Operation Control Centre (VOCC) as part of the AAM integrator world centre in Dubai with the support of the MBRAH and the GCAA. The VOCC will have the capacity to manage air traffic integration and set up communication protocols between eVTOLs, vertiports and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP). As part of this major undertaking, VPorts will work with an extended partner network to engage with key strategic poles of expertise, including eVTOL manufacturing, flight simulation and training, regulators, air navigation service providers, technology service providers, operators, electric charging manufacturers and urban planners.

Mumbai, March 06, 2023: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is proud to announce that it has been adjudged as the ‘Best Airport over 40 million passengers’ for the year 2022 in Asia Pacific region by Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. CSMIA has been recognised with this prestigious title of ‘Best Airport’ for six years in a row. The ASQ Awards are highly regarded in the airport industry, as they are based on passenger feedback and are considered a testament to an airport’s commitment to providing an outstanding customer experience. ASQ Awards recognises the successful efforts & CSMIA’s dedication towards delivering superior customer experience and increased satisfaction for its passengers. This award is a result of CSMIA’s resolute commitment to always providing exceptional facilities and offerings. The achievement is a symbol of the passenger recognition of the efforts undertaken during the last year, such as: * Brought in path-breaking innovation with the introduction of ‘Integrated Security Check Point’ for domestic and international passengers. * Launched first-of-its-kind Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) & Solar PV system. * Transitioned to become a 100% sustainable green energy consuming airport. * Achieved Level 4+ “Transition” of ACA program of ACI, which is the highest accreditation. * Set up Electric Vehicle (EV) fast charging stations and inducted over 45 EVs * Unveiled the all-new renovated General Aviation terminal facility for private jets and redefined luxury travel through Mumbai. * Launched ‘FASTag car park’ for ease in parking payment system and to reduce the dwell time * Installed Reverse Vending Machines to promote recycling of single-use plastics * Celebrated with airport’s Shop & Win lucky draw for all passengers. * Hosted a 45-day Summer Carnival for its passengers. * Facilitated a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience by Air Charter Service India (ACS) for 27 brave and young cancer patients. * Installed 2D Barcode readers to expedite passenger movement. All these initiatives are a result of CSMIA’s dedication and commitment towards its passengers and their ever-changing demands. Commenting on the occasion, a spokesperson of CSMIA said, “We are delighted to yet again receive the 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for ‘Best Airport over 40 million passengers’ category in Asia-Pacific. We would like to thank our passengers for their valuable feedback and assure them that we will continue to strive for excellence in customer service. This adds as a feather in the cap for CSMIA which reflects the airport’s dedication to creating a seamless, eco-friendly travel experience for its passengers while maintaining its position as a leading airport in the world.” The ACI ratings continue to be one of the most prestigious laurels in the aviation segment that recognize the best airports in the world. The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) surveys are conducted worldwide across airports where passengers are interviewed to rate airport services on the day of travel. The scientific methodology and strict quality control procedure following global standards undertaken by the organisation is a proof of the award’s fairness in identifying the airport’s excellence in service parameters that go beyond satisfying the needs of travelers. ( News Published unedited based on the press release)

Bengaluru, March 07, 2023: Achieving yet another significant milestone, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, also known as BLR Airport has been recognized as the ‘Best Airport at ACI’s ASQ Arrival Survey Globally for the year 2022’, by the Airports Council International (ACI) World.This honor has added yet another feather to the cap of BLR Airport, affirming its standing as a customer-centric airport. Being one of the busiest airports in India, BLR Airport is contributing to India’s aviation growth story by facilitating connectivity to non-metro cities and serving as a preferred transfer hub for Southern India. Efficient deboarding procedures, streamlined immigration and customs processes, organised baggage claim services and the availability of infrastructure such as transit hotels and AI-powered assistance robots, aid passengers with a smooth arrival experience at BLR Airport. With the vision to deliver superior customer experience and improve operational efficiency to handle growing passenger volumes, the airport aims to become the new gateway to India. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hari Marar, MD and CEO of Bangalore International AirportLtdsaid, “We are truly honored to receive the Best Airport at ACI’s ASQ Arrival Survey Globally for the year 2022. This recognition comes as a testament to the hard work, dedicationand commitment put forth by our team. We would like to thank the government authorities – the Immigration, Customs & CISF; for their cooperation in enabling seamless arrival process. We would also like to thank our passengers for their unwaveringtrust and confidence in us.This award further motivates us to continue to strive towards excellence and reinforce our position as one of the leading airports.” Congratulating BLR Airport on the recognition, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General, ACI World said, “Selected by passengers, these awards are powered by the airport community, which includes airport employees and a range of other stakeholders. I congratulate the whole team at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru on their success in the Airport Service Quality Awards.” ASQ is the world’s leading airport customer experience measurement which is based on live research via surveys gathered at the airport from the travellers and rating their satisfaction on the day of travel. This survey is conducted in over 340 airports worldwide and is considered the industry standard for measuring airport service quality. BLR Airport emerged as the winner among 15 participating airports worldwide, marking a momentous achievement. BLR Airport has been consistently innovating to provide a hassle-free experience to passengers. In the past, the Airport has received numerous recognitions and awardssuch as the ‘Voice of the Customer’ recognition by Airports Council International (ACI), Customer Obsession Award by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Best regional airport in India and South Asia by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022 to name a few. ( News published unedited based on the press release)

27th February 2023,Shivamogga: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Shivamogga Airport along with various development projects that cost over Rs 3,600 crore in Shivamogga, Karnataka. The new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The Passenger Terminal Building of the airport is spread over 4340 sq. meters and can handle 300 Passengers per hour. With opening of this airport, the govt focus on enhancing air transportation throughout the country received further reinforcement. “The new airport is going to open doors of development for Shivamogga, the land of nature, culture, and agriculture”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister elaborated upon the policies of the government that have led to an unprecedented expansion of the aviation sector. The Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia said, “ Shivamogga Airport has given a new height to civil aviation in the country and has opened new doors of prosperity in Karnataka. It is a unique gift for Shivamogga and the entire region on the birthday of the former Chief Minister of the state Shri BS Yeddyurappa ji. It is a matter of pride for the entire country that where there were only 74 airports in the country until 2014, today, after the inauguration of the Shivamogga airport, the number of airports has doubled. Now the total number is 148, which means there has been a 100% increase in the number of airports in the last 9 years.” The Shivamogga Airport is designed like a lotus flower, and it is built at a cost of Rs 450 crore. It is suitable for A-320-type aircraft. This airport is spread across 758 acres of land. The night landing facility is also available at this airport which will start after some time.” Shivamogga Airport is the 9th domestic airport in Karnataka.  The other operational airports of Karnataka are located at  Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ballari, Bidar, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Belagavi and Mangaluru. Among these, Bengaluru and Mangaluru airports are the two international airports in the state.