The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has identified 150 underutilized small airports and airstrips for modernization, aiming to meet the growing demand for air cargo and passenger traffic. These airports were selected from a pool of over 400 nationwide, with locations including Aizawl, Kota, Muzaffarpur, Satna, Ziro, and Belagavi, among others. The initiative comes under direct government directives and is designed to optimize the existing aviation infrastructure.
The modernization focuses on enhancing air cargo capabilities, essential for transporting goods such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics, and perishables. This is increasingly critical due to disruptions in conventional trade routes and geopolitical challenges. Additionally, the upgrades will address rising passenger traffic, improving facilities and services at these airports.
The AAI’s plan includes constructing longer runways, passenger amenities compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and integrating advanced digital technologies. A key element of the overhaul is boosting cargo infrastructure, including satellite freight cities, cargo terminals, cold storage facilities, automated systems, and mechanized transport. Furthermore, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems will streamline operations, enabling smoother business document exchanges.
This comprehensive modernization aligns with the growing reliance on air cargo, driven by increasing shipping costs, delays, and higher insurance premiums.
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