New Delhi: With a view to promoting the growth of the Indian aviation sector in tune with the National Civil Aviation Policy-2016, Airports Authority of India (AAI) is all set to embark upon a capital expenditure or capex plan to upgrade and modernize various airports in the country.

The aim of the government is to provide an ecosystem for the harmonized growth of various aviation sub-sectors, that is, airlines, airports, cargo, maintenance repairs and overhaul services (MRO), general aviation, aerospace manufacturing, and skill development, said Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Expansion and development of infrastructure facilities at the airports is a continuous process and is undertaken on the operational requirements for safety of aircraft operation and demand from airlines, depending upon availability of land and viability, as well as other facilities with reference to intended aircraft operations.

“AAI has embarked upon a capex plan for development, upgradation or modernization of various airports in the country to meet the requirement of air traffic which includes new greenfield airports, expansion, modification of existing terminal, new terminals, expansion, strengthening of existing runways, aprons, air navigation services works like control tower, and technical block,” said Singh.

As per the policy, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in scheduled air transport service or domestic scheduled passenger airline, automatic up to 49 per cent and the government route beyond 49 per cent subject to sectoral and other conditions mentioned therein, said Singh further. /BI/