New airports policies get Cabinet nod

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The Union Cabinet late on Thursday cleared two significant policy initiatives allowing private developers to set up captive airstrips and general airports—moves aimed at decongesting air traffic in cities and developing aviation infrastructure.

The government has also allowed for case-by-case approval of greenfield projects within 150 km of an existing airport, which could bode well for the proposed airport at Noida on the outskirts of Delhi.

In a major relaxation, the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will henceforth decide on all such proposals after security clearance from the ministry of home affairs.

The policy for captive airstrips is expected to significantly help ease congestion at major airports. The number of aircraft for private use has increased from 96 in December 1997 to 229 in September 2007, a growth of about 139%.

Similarly, aircraft for non-scheduled use increased from 46 to 196 (326% growth), while other aircraft for government and miscellaneous use increased from 247 to 373 (51% growth) over the same period.

This phenomenal growth has placed enormous pressure on existing airports, often disrupting or delaying scheduled passenger traffic. The increased number of aircraft for private and non-scheduled use also places an additional burden on airport infrastructure for parking, handling and maintenance.

A number of applications for the construction of such private airports are pending with the government, approvals for which the new policies are expected to expedite.

The new airport policy has dispensed with the earlier requirement of Cabinet approval for greenfield airports and, instead, suggests a steering committee under the civil aviation secretary to coordinate and monitor approvals.

According to the new policy initiatives, a greenfield airport project to be set up by Airport Authority of India or a private developer in compliance with the guidelines and is to be located beyond 150 km of an existing civilian airport would not require approval of the central government. DGCA will now grant licenses for such projects directly.

A project beyond 150 km of an existing airport, but seeking some relaxation, would first be considered by the proposed steering committee, and approval would depend on its recommendations. The proposal would go to Cabinet only if there was no consensus in the committee.