NEW DELHI: The government announced on Monday in the Rajya Sabha that the Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh has received its aerodrome license and will be inaugurated shortly.
In response to questions about the Noida International Airport at Jewar during Question Hour, Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, stated that there is a typical timeframe of 45 days to two months from the issuance of the aerodrome license to the commencement of actual flight operations.
“I’m pleased to share that the first aerodrome license has been granted by the DGCA following extensive consultations with institutions such as the Airport Authority of India,” he told the house. “The usual preparation time from now to airport operations generally spans 45 days to two months.”
Once the aerodrome license is received, the airport must organize its flight schedule, which requires time, Naidu added. “We are also in discussions with airlines to encourage them to start planning their schedules.” He mentioned, “We are planning a significant inauguration to promote the Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh.”
When asked about the potential for an airport in Kapilavastu, a site associated with Lord Buddha, the minister highlighted the government’s aim to expand airport infrastructure throughout the nation, aligning with the Prime Minister’s Udan scheme vision.
“In the past 12 years, we have increased the number of airports in India from 74 in 2014 to 166 currently. This growth rate is unparalleled globally, and we are committed to building even more airports, ensuring connectivity reaches the remotest areas of the country,” Naidu stated.
On the topic of new airports in Telangana, the minister referenced the historic Mamnoor Airport in Warangal, noting it as one of India’s oldest operational airports. “We hold around 700 acres of land there, with a length limit of 1,800 meters. To accommodate wide-body aircraft, we need more land.”
“We have requested an additional 250 acres from the state government, which has been allocated for our use. The airport authority is in the planning stages, and we aim to lay the foundation stone soon. In two years, Mamnoor airport will be operational and capable of handling wide-body aircraft,” Naidu announced in the Rajya Sabha.
The minister also mentioned potential locations for two more airports in Telangana: a proposed greenfield project at Kothagudem and another at Adilabad.
In a written response regarding regional airports, he shared that “India currently boasts 164 operational airports and ranks as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally.”
In light of increasing demand and challenges in the sector, the Government of India has implemented various initiatives. Key initiatives include: (i) the National Civil Aviation Policy issued in 2016 to foster a supportive ecosystem for overall aviation sector growth, encompassing all sub-sectors like airlines, airports, MRO, and FTOs.
(ii) Launched in October 2016, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN scheme promotes regional air connectivity by revitalizing unserved and underserved airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, thereby making air travel more affordable. To date, 663 routes have been operationalized, connecting 95 previously unserved and underserved aerodromes.
To further enhance regional connectivity, the government has introduced a revised UDAN Scheme aiming to connect 120 new destinations over the next decade, serving 40 million passengers, Naidu added.
Under the 2008 Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, the Government of India has granted “In Principle” approval for the establishment of 24 Greenfield Airports nationwide. Out of these, 13 airports—including those in Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, Mopa, Shivamogga, Rajkot (Hirasar), and Navi Mumbai—are now operational.
