The Airports Authority of India Act: An Overview

When the National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India merged on April 1, 1995, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was legislated by an Act of Parliament. The merger led to the creation of a single organization with the responsibility of creating, enhancing, managing, and controlling the nation's ground and airspace civil aviation infrastructure.

Features of the Airports Authority of India Act

The Airports Authority of India Act, 1994, created the organization in 1995 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is a statutory entity as a result.

• The AAI is in charge of creating, enhancing, managing, and maintaining India's civil aviation infrastructure
• Air Traffic Management (ATM) services over Indian Territory airspace and surrounding sea regions are the AAI's main duty.
• CNS is also developed. (Communication Navigation Surveillance).
• Its responsibilities include creating, running, maintaining, and modernizing the nation's aviation infrastructure. International, domestic, customs, and civic enclaves on defense airfields are all under the control of the AAI.
• New Delhi is where the Airports Authority of India is headquartered.
• 137 airports are managed by AAI, including 24 international airports.

The AAI has given the go-ahead for the development of a cutting-edge airport at Ramjanamsthali, Ayodhya, costing Rs 242 crore. The enhanced civil airplane connectivity will be extremely beneficial to tourists and pilgrims. 270 acres of land have been made available by the Uttar Pradesh government for the construction of the airport's first phase.

Aim of The Act

The Committee is of the considered opinion that it is crucial that best worldwide practices for the Air Navigation Services be followed in light of the country's recent exponential increase in air traffic implemented across the nation. The Committee is convinced that a forward-looking Master Plan for Air Navigation Services are necessary to ensure that everyone receives significant benefits stakeholders. The Committee highlights the requirement to ensure compliance with the worldwide norms for security and safety. It is suggested by the Committee that the Ministry should see to it that improvements are made to the ANS facilities and should follow protocols and provide appropriate attention on research, development, and training.

Application Of This Act

The following places are covered by this Act −

• Airports used for or intended for air transportation, excluding airfields under the authority of the military forces or a union.
• Private airports that handle air traffic.
• The portion of an airport designated for any member of the armed forces of the union where any air transportation services are provided or are planned to be provided for the handling of luggage or cargo while in use, including any facility or structure (civil enclave).
• Every aviation communication.
• All training facilities, businesses, and seminars that provide air transportation services.

Provisions of this Act

The following services and activities are available at the airport for ground handling services −

• Operators of airlines and helicopters can provide services for their own airlines and helicopters.
• In addition to check-in at the airport's pre-security area, foreign airlines may perform services relating to passenger and luggage handling operations, barring those in the civil enclave (see Section 2(i) of the AAI Act, 1994).
• Airports that receive over 10 million passengers annually should have three agencies provide ground handling services −
• Airport operator and its 100%-owned subsidiary or joint partnership.
• A joint venture with or an air India subsidiary

The Airport Operators Are Responsible for Providing Ground Handling Services with Total Security

The AAI is established under the AAI Act of 1994, and the qualifications and designations for all management positions are specified. The Airport Authority will be responsible for all airport development, including planning, building, and opening training facilities and educational institutions, among other things. The authority can provide any airport structure, but it shouldn't interfere with the airport's operations. This Act mentions and regulates the duties of the operator, officials, and workers.

Taxes, levies, financing, and other financial obligations are all carried out by the AAI with prior approval from the Central government. The AAI must establish a reserve fund in order to expand its airport services.

The Authority is required to provide a report on its operations in the manner specified by the Central Government at the conclusion of each fiscal year.

Accomplishments of The Indian Airports Authority

ADSS, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance

• India was the first nation in South-East Asia to adopt ADSS at the Chennai and Kolkata Air Traffic Control Centers.
• This made it possible to manage aviation traffic across maritime regions using satellite communication.

GAGAN In cooperation with ISRO, AAI is creating Project GAGAN.

To determine the aircraft's navigational needs, navigation signals gathered from the Global Positioning System (GPS) would be augmented.

Conclusion

The Airports Authority of India Act, 1994, created the organization in 1995 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is a statutory entity as a result.

AAI oversees 137 airports, including 103 domestic, 24 international (3 civil enclaves), and ten customs airports (23 civil enclaves). Over an area of 2.8 million square nautical miles of airspace, AAI offers air navigation services. It is a formal organization under the Ministry of Civil Aviation's control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many airports are under the control of AAI Airports Authority of India?

Ans. The AAI is in charge of managing 137 airports (Airports Authority of India). They comprise 10 Customs Airports, 81 Domestic Airports, 23 Domestic Civil Enclaves, and up to 23 International Airports.

Q2. Who is the chairman of the Indian Airports Authority?

Ans. Arvind Singh, a former IAS official, is the head of the Indian Airports Authority (AAI). In November 2019, he began serving in the capacity.

Q3. Why did AAI start out?

Ans. AAI was established with the duty of creating, improving, overseeing, and maintaining India's civil aviation infrastructure. One of the primary roles of AAI is to provide Air Traffic Management services across airspaces.