Can India’s aviation hub goal take off with 2 new airports to ease congestion?
By Biman Mukherji
India is preparing to open two major new airports near its capital and financial centre, a move that industry analysts say would help ease severe air traffic congestion and strengthen its position to become a global aviation hub.
The inauguration of the airport at Jewar – about 100km (62 miles) from New Delhi in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida area – is scheduled for October 30, with commercial operations expected to begin around mid-December, according to government officials.
The other airport at Navi Mumbai has seen its planned September launch delayed by monsoon rains and is now expected to open in October, local media have reported.
“The new airports at Jewar and Navi Mumbai will bring much-needed relief to Delhi and Mumbai, which are already operating at very high capacity. Mumbai airport regularly handles over 1,000 aircraft movements in a single day, making it the busiest single-runway airport in the world,” said Julian Fantauzzo, founder of European Aviation Consulting.
Apart from a reduction in congestion, both airports are expected to improve the passenger experience and create room for airlines and cargo operators to grow, according to Fantauzzo.
“Just as important, both projects are being built with sustainability in mind, which is now a key expectation in global aviation.”
Source: SCMP