Airports

Rajkot,11th September, 2023: Flight operations from the Rajkot International Airport in Gujarat commenced on 10th September, 2023 with the arrival of the first flight from Indore. 11 flights operated on the first day with 2546 passengers travelling through the new airport. The New International Airport in Hirasar at Rajkot, Gujrat which is one of the important gateways connecting Western part of Gujarat to the rest of India and world, was inaugurated by the Prime Minster Narendra Modi on 27th July, 2023. The airport’s terminal building is capable to serve 500 passengers during peak hours; further airport terminal capacity will be increased to 2800 passengers during peak hours and 35 lakh passengers annually. 3040 meters long Runway of the airport is equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) for facilitation of 24 X 7 operations. The airport is suitable for parking of 14 aircraft to cater to more flights. The New Airport at Rajkot has an amalgamation of modern technology and sustainable features that will not only enhance ease of travel, but will also help to reduce carbon footprint.

New Delhi, 18thJuly, 2023: The Prime Minister,Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Integrated Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair via video conferencing.With a total built up area of 40,837 sqm., the new terminal building is capable to handle 1200 passengers during the busiest operational hour also known as peak hourand about 50 lakh passengers annually. The new passenger terminal building has three floors comprising of lower ground, upper ground and first floor. The lower ground floor will be used as remote arrival, bus lounge and service area; the upper ground floor as access to the terminal building for departure and arrival of the passengers and the first floor as Security Hold Area (SHA), for international passengers. Stressing on the need of a new terminal building in Port Blair, HMCA said, “this airport will boost tourism, making Andaman & Nicobar Islands a gateway of employment, investment & education.” Inspired from nature, the architectural design of the airport terminal resembles a shellshaped structure depicting sea and islands. The airport building isequipped with 28 check-in counters, 12 immigration counters, three passenger boarding bridges and three conveyor belts.An Apron suitable for two B-767-400 and two AB-321 typeof aircraft has also been constructed at Port Blair Airport at a cost of Rs. 80 Crore, making airport suitable for parking of 10 aircraft at a time. Addressing the gathering, PM said that “even though today’s program is taking place in Port Blair, the entire nation is keenly looking towards the Union Territory as the demand for increasing the passenger handling capacity of Veer Savarkar International Airport is being fulfilled”.Operationalization of the new terminal building will give boost to the expanding tourism industry and will also embolden the island economy. Increased aerial connectivity to the islands will create new employment opportunities for the local community.

Delhi, 14th July 2023: India’s first and only dual-way elevated taxiway and 4th runway at IGI Airport, New Delhi was inaugurated by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel. With this, the IGI Airport, New Delhi has become the first airport in the country to have four runways and becomes the first airport in the country to have an elevated taxiway. Eastern Cross Taxiway (ECT) will help in enhancing the passenger experience by reducing time spent on the tarmac by flyers after landings and before take-offs. Furthermore, four runway operations and the ECT will significantly increase capacity at IGIA – making it capable of handling 1700+ movements. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said, “ Today is a landmark day for Indian civil aviation, both on infrastructure side and services side. The Eastern Cross Taxiway is the first of its kind in India. Also, this elevated Eastern Cross Taxiway (ECT) will see a reduction of almost 55 thousand tons of CO2 Emission on annual basis. Also, this ECT, along with the fourth runway and the new integrated Terminal 1, will make Delhi Airport future-ready and fulfil the dream of creating a major International Hub. Capacity along with Technological intervention will further enhance the passenger experience. The northern part of the airfield and the southern part of the airfield will be conveniently connected by this. It means an 8 to 9 minute reduction in taxi time. This runway makes Delhi Airport, the only airport in the country to have 4 runways. This runway along with the terminal expansion will add to creating capacity to serve more than 109 million people throughput which would crest and beat even Atlanta in its capability. With that capacity in place, we would be well positioned both on an infrastructure side and a capability side for creating the international civil aviation hub in India.”

15thJune, 2023,New Delhi: Tezu Airport in Arunachal Pradesh is soon going to get a New Terminal Building with enhanced capacity and better services.AAI undertook the upgradation work of Tezu Airport to cater to the increase in air traffic and provide modern day facilities to the travellers. The works undertaken are extension of Runway (1500m x 30m), construction of new apron for two ATR-72 type aircraft, 75m wide runway strip, construction of boundary wall, and construction of New Terminal Building and a Fire Station-cum-ATC Tower at a cost of Rs. 170 cr. The New Terminal built in an area of 4000 sqm., is equipped to serve 300 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has been designed to prioritize functionality, efficiency, and passenger comfort. The form of the building takes inspiration from simplest of concepts as it has been perceived as a single spacious volume, through which passengers can seamlessly flow from city side to the aircraft. The building interior emanates a sense of calm, uncluttered spaces that offer a place for passengers to relax, away from the stress of their long journeys. The interiors of the building also depict local handicrafts, murals and promote tourist destinations. The terminal will provide all modern passenger facilities like VIP lounge, food & beverage counters, restaurant and retail shops etc. The new terminal building is also equipped with various sustainability features like – Double Insulated Roofing System to reduce heat gain, LED Lighting, ECBC compliant equipment, Low Heat Gain Glazing, rainwater catchment in an underground water tank, on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with the provision of reuse of treated waste water for landscaping, refill make-up tank for HVAC system, and accessibility features for differently abled People (Divyangjan), etc. Tezu airport is currently connected to Imphal, Dibrugarh & Guwahati through regular scheduled flights by Alliance Air & Flybig.The upgraded Tezu Airport will not only improve the passenger experience but also contribute significantly to the development of the local economy. The airport will also be able to handle more passengers, thereby increasing the flow of tourists and business travellers to the region. This will help in creating new jobs and boosting the local tourism industry.

Bangalore, June 01, 2023: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB/BLR Airport), operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), has achieved a significant milestone by attaining Level 4+ Transition under the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program. This prestigious accreditation, led by the Airports Council International (ACI), reflects BIAL’s unwavering commitment to efficient carbon management and sustainability. The Level 4+ Transition accreditation is one of the highest accolades an airport can receive under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, showcasing BIAL’s aspiration to become net zero by 2030 and its continuous efforts in reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, BIAL has received ACI’s Green Airports Recognition 2023 Platinum award in the 15-35 million passengers per annum category, as a recognition of its Plastics Circularity initiatives such as single-use plastic elimination and roads from plastic waste at BLR Airport. Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), spoke about the significance of this recognition by stating, “Attaining Level 4+ Transition under the prestigious Airport Carbon Accreditation program is a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and our relentless efforts to reduce carbon emissions. This recognition reinforces our position as a front-runner in efficient carbon management and demonstrates our dedication to shaping a more sustainable future for the aviation industry. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of innovative practices, investments in cutting-edge technology, and collaborations with stakeholders to minimise our carbon footprint and drive positive change within the industry.” Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific, commented, “We are proud of Kempegowda International Airport’s excellent achievement in reducing carbon emissions and setting an example for airports in the region. By achieving ACI ACA Level 4+, Transition, Kempegowda International Airport is firmly positioning itself as one of the leaders in efficient carbon management and this achievement truly demonstrates its firm commitment to invest in a more sustainable future. It’s encouraging to see airports making tremendous efforts toward climate change mitigation in an era of unprecedented challenges for the industry. The ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2023 to Kempegowda International Airport also reaffirms their commitment towards achieving sustainability goals.” As part of its sustainability initiatives, BIAL has implemented various measures, including energy-efficient infrastructure, waste management systems, and renewable energy projects. The airport’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operations and encompasses community engagement and environmental awareness programs. BIAL publishes its annual Sustainability Report showcasing its transformational green practices and presents an overview of all its programs. At the core of BIAL’s sustainability journey are six pillars that form the roadmap to a brighter future: Water Stewardship, Net Zero Carbon Emission, Community Aligned Noise Management, Circular Economy, Sustainable Procurement, and Sustainable Mobility. These pillars are supported by the airport’s core values of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Behavioral Change, and Compliance. This strategic framework directly contributes to 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and indirectly contributes to the other six UNSDGs. BIAL is a proud signatory to the United Nations Global Compact initiative — a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.

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.