<p>India plans to build 200 low-cost airports in the next 20 years to connect tier-II and tier-III cities, said a civil aviation ministry official.<br /><br /></p>.<p>This will be one of the focus areas of India Aviation 2014, the country's largest civil aviation exhibition and conference beginning here Wednesday.<br /><br />The event with the theme "Enhancing air connectivity" will have special session on 'looking beyond metros'.<br /><br />G. Ashok Kumar, joint secretary, civil aviation, told reporters here Monday that low-cost, small and no-frill airports would be built in tier-II and tier-III cities, which are expected to spur the development of the aviation sector in the second phase.<br /><br />"As the operating and service costs at the major airports are phenomenally high, there are plans to build small no-frill airports. They will have the basic infrastructure and will be like upgraded high-class railway stations," he said.<br /><br />The non-metro airports in India presently accounts for only about 30 percent of the total air traffic, but is expected to rise to 45 percent in the next few years.<br /><br />The government also plans to construct 15 additional airports in the country under the Greenfield Airport Policy, by identifying the most suitable low cost viable model.<br /><br />Airports Authority of India plans to invest Rs.1,500 crore in the development of non metro airports during the 12th Plan.<br /><br />India is planning to invest over $120 billion in the development of airport infrastructure; improvement in connecting infrastructure; development of world class air navigation services infrastructure and other related activities to improve the air connectivity.<br /><br />India, one of the fastest growing aviation market in the world, currently ranks ninth but is expected to become the third largest after US and China by 2020.<br /><br />Indian airport system is poised to handle 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers by 2020, from the current level of 121 million domestic and 41 million international passengers.<br /><br />According to International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016, India's domestic air travel market would be among the top five globally, experiencing the second highest growth rate at CAGR of 13.1 percent.<br /><br />"About 400 aircraft are currently operational in the country and by 2020 the number is expected to reach 1000 aircrafts," said Ashok Kumar.<br /><br />According to him, there is a huge opportunity for MRO sector (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul sector). <br /><br />"Civil aviation is a highly regulated sector. This is a good opportunity and we are focusing for India to emerge as a MRO hub," he added.</p>
<p>India plans to build 200 low-cost airports in the next 20 years to connect tier-II and tier-III cities, said a civil aviation ministry official.<br /><br /></p>.<p>This will be one of the focus areas of India Aviation 2014, the country's largest civil aviation exhibition and conference beginning here Wednesday.<br /><br />The event with the theme "Enhancing air connectivity" will have special session on 'looking beyond metros'.<br /><br />G. Ashok Kumar, joint secretary, civil aviation, told reporters here Monday that low-cost, small and no-frill airports would be built in tier-II and tier-III cities, which are expected to spur the development of the aviation sector in the second phase.<br /><br />"As the operating and service costs at the major airports are phenomenally high, there are plans to build small no-frill airports. They will have the basic infrastructure and will be like upgraded high-class railway stations," he said.<br /><br />The non-metro airports in India presently accounts for only about 30 percent of the total air traffic, but is expected to rise to 45 percent in the next few years.<br /><br />The government also plans to construct 15 additional airports in the country under the Greenfield Airport Policy, by identifying the most suitable low cost viable model.<br /><br />Airports Authority of India plans to invest Rs.1,500 crore in the development of non metro airports during the 12th Plan.<br /><br />India is planning to invest over $120 billion in the development of airport infrastructure; improvement in connecting infrastructure; development of world class air navigation services infrastructure and other related activities to improve the air connectivity.<br /><br />India, one of the fastest growing aviation market in the world, currently ranks ninth but is expected to become the third largest after US and China by 2020.<br /><br />Indian airport system is poised to handle 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers by 2020, from the current level of 121 million domestic and 41 million international passengers.<br /><br />According to International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016, India's domestic air travel market would be among the top five globally, experiencing the second highest growth rate at CAGR of 13.1 percent.<br /><br />"About 400 aircraft are currently operational in the country and by 2020 the number is expected to reach 1000 aircrafts," said Ashok Kumar.<br /><br />According to him, there is a huge opportunity for MRO sector (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul sector). <br /><br />"Civil aviation is a highly regulated sector. This is a good opportunity and we are focusing for India to emerge as a MRO hub," he added.</p>