11-19-2005, 02:57 AM
<b>In the last ten years there has been considerable growth in India in the Civil Aviation Sector. In the last one year itself a number of Private Airlines have started their operations. It has resulted in air travel becoming cheaper and also generation of employment not only for pilots but for all categories of staff. However, this has not kept pace with the development of facilities in the existing airports. This overcrowding is very much visible in both Mumbai and Delhi airports. This year, with the introduction of international flights by private airlines from India and the open air policy for foreign airlines to operate to India, the situation is going to be getting much worst as time passes.
It is good some of the new airlines are having international flights from Hyderabad and Bangalore. This has taken some load from the Mumbai airport but there is no such alternative in sight for the Delhi airport. Delhi being the capital of India has its ever increasing pressure from the domestic operators in addition to the ever increasing number of new foreign operators. According to media reports, on a particular night there were 6000 passengers chasing 2500 baggage trolleys. The ever increasing number of landings and take offs may cause a major accident any time and now delays are frequent due to congestions in the air corridors.
It is time that Government should seriously think of establishing a civil enclave at the airbase on the Eastern side of the capital so that some of the domestic flights can be operated from that airfield. To start with a limited start can be made in respect of low cost airlines to operate from here. Secondly, the airport at Jaipur needs to be upgraded for allowing international flights. A start was made in a small way but no major effort has been made in this direction. It is good that foreign charters are now being allowed to directly land at Agra. Such operations need to be encouraged so that the situation in Delhi airport can be kept under control.</b>
It is good some of the new airlines are having international flights from Hyderabad and Bangalore. This has taken some load from the Mumbai airport but there is no such alternative in sight for the Delhi airport. Delhi being the capital of India has its ever increasing pressure from the domestic operators in addition to the ever increasing number of new foreign operators. According to media reports, on a particular night there were 6000 passengers chasing 2500 baggage trolleys. The ever increasing number of landings and take offs may cause a major accident any time and now delays are frequent due to congestions in the air corridors.
It is time that Government should seriously think of establishing a civil enclave at the airbase on the Eastern side of the capital so that some of the domestic flights can be operated from that airfield. To start with a limited start can be made in respect of low cost airlines to operate from here. Secondly, the airport at Jaipur needs to be upgraded for allowing international flights. A start was made in a small way but no major effort has been made in this direction. It is good that foreign charters are now being allowed to directly land at Agra. Such operations need to be encouraged so that the situation in Delhi airport can be kept under control.</b>