‘Airports here on a rapid growth curve’

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: John D Kasarda is an advocate of the theory of ‘airport cities’. The theory, better known as Aerotropolis, has an airport as the central figure in the commercial development of an urban city with the population and business revolving around it—much similar to the ancient concept of planning cities around ports or crossroads.

The distinguished professor of management and director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School says that cities built around international airports are better positioned for global trade and competitiveness. “The role and development impact of major airports are changing dramatically, and those in Asia are leading the way. A reason behind this development is that major airports here are much newer than most of those in the West with many located on large greenfield sites that are surrounded by a considerable amount of developable land. These permit city planners and developers to leverage airports’ new role as multimodal, multifunctional commercial development engines attracting businesses,” he elaborates.

Kasarda thinks Indian cities are now ready to experience the transformation. “Airports in India are on a rapid growth trajectory. These are being privatised and developed on greenfield sites. In sync with the combination of rising incomes and development of infrastructure, the airports promise to drive passenger and cargo growth rapidly.”

The professor believes that the revolution will also affect other sectors positively. “Especially retail and hospitality. Globally, in addition to incorporating shopping mall concepts into passenger terminals and developing logistics facilities near runways, airports are working with developers to place hotels, offices and retail complexes, conference and exhibition centres, et al on their property. Expecting the same in India, at this point I would suggest India to go for an organised, economically efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable Aerotropolis,” says Kasarda warning of the challenges that follow. “The foremost is to fund the modernised expansion and make the airports attractive to airlines from around the globe. For the former, the airports (planners) are fast realising the benefit of converting their commercial component into a strong revenue generator.”