Rising civilian traffic strains IAF airfields as AAI expansion lags , Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Airports Authority of India (AAI) is lagging in expanding facilities at Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields opened for civilian operations.
• 39 IAF airfields, including Hindon, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Leh, Pune and Srinagar, have been opened for UDAN flights.
• IAF provides runways, air traffic control, and fire-fighting systems, while AAI operates civilian terminals.
• Hindon airport handles over 400 passengers daily, exceeding its capacity of 300, with limited parking bays.

Detailed Insights:

• The agreement between the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Defence aimed to boost regional air connectivity through the UDAN scheme.
• IAF is providing technical support for civilian operations, which could potentially impact regular IAF activities due to increasing civilian traffic.
• Shortage of parking bays at IAF airfields is causing delays and turnaround issues for civilian flights.
• Originally, flights were meant to operate from dawn to dusk, but operators are now seeking extended hours, straining facilities and manpower.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UDAN Scheme: A regional airport development and connectivity scheme by the Indian government.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI): Statutory body responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.