The Economic Survey for 2015-16 said India’s aviation sector, like other infrastructure sectors, has shown robust growth with increased private participation under Public-Private Partnership (PPP), development of greenfield airports, restructuring and modernisation of airports, FDI in domestic airlines, increase in number of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) and emphasis on regional connectivity.

The Survey points out that there has been strong growth in traffic at Indian airports during 2015-16 with domestic travel increasing by 20% and international traffic by 7.8% during April-November 2015 from the corresponding period a year ago. On the other hand, international cargo throughput increased by 5.8 % and domestic by 6.1 % in April-November 2015 as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Economic Survey said airport infrastructure during 2015-16 was developed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) of Kadapah Airport, the New Civil Air Terminal at Chandigarh (Mohali side) and the New Integrated Terminal building at Tirupati Airport with apron and associated works.

The Survey reported that the government has in-principle approved for setting up of a greenfield airport at Dholera in Gujarat and also site clearance have been given for setting up of greenfield airports at four locations, namely Bhiwadi (Alwar) in Rajasthan and Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi and Oravakallu in Andhra Pradesh.

Greenfield airports at Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai ,Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, Shimoga, Hasan and Bijapur in Karnataka, Kannur in Kerala, Pakyong in Sikkim, Holongi (Itanagar) in Arunachal Pradesh, Datia in Madhya Pradesh,  Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Karaikkal in Puducherry are at various stages of planning and execution, said the Economic Survey.

Also small airports are being developed in tier-II and tier-III cities, namely at Hubli and Belgaum in Karnataka, Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Jarsuguda in Odisha and Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh.

Right flight
* Aviation sector showed robust growth with increased private participation under Public Private Partnership (PPP)
* FDI in domestic airlines, increase in number of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) and emphasis on regional connectivity