Airport Handling

UNIT 4 AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA

(AAI)
Structure

4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Airport Authority of India
4.3 Mission and Vision of AAI
4.3.1 Mission of AAI
4.3.2 Vision of AAI
4.4 Relevance of AAI in the Aviation Sector
4.5 Primary Services of Airport Authority of India
4.6 Other Services of AAI
4.6.1 Consultancy Services of AAI
4.6.2 AAI Startup Initiatives
4.6.3 Fire Training Centers
4.7 Revenue for AAI
4.8 Let Us Sum Up
4.9 Further Readings
4.10 Clues to Check Your Progress Exercises
4.11 Activities

4.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this unit, you will be able to:
 discuss the origin of the Airport Authority of India,
 describe the relevance of AAI in the aviation sector,
 enumerate and explain the functions of the Airport Authority of India; and
 describe the various consultancy services taken up by AAI

4.1 INTRODUCTION
Airports are the most important component of the air transport system which provides
all the infrastructure required to transfer passengers and freight by air. Airport is a
created space where an aircraft is parked, refueled, and serviced for takeoff and landing.
It is a large organized and maintained area that not only facilitates the aircraft to take
off and land but also provides passengers all the necessary services and comfort required
for their travel by air. The significance, activities and infrastructure of airports have
been explained in details in Unit 1.
The number of services provided at airport for the airlines and as well as the services
58 for the passengers are manifold. A team of personals are required to ensure smooth
operations at airport keeping in mind all the security, air traffic control and customer Airport Authority of
India (AAI)
satisfaction. At the same time an airport requires all necessary infrastructure and facilities
to meet the guidelines given by International Civil Aviation Organization for Airports,
especially International Airports; in order to be deemed suitable for international and
domestic flights of different airlines. This is where the role of Airport Authority of India
(IAA) is vital.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a public sector enterprise entrusted with the
operation and oversight of airports in India. AAI provides Air Traffic Management
Services (ATMS) over the entire Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas with
ground installations at all Airports and 25 other locations to ensure the safety of Aircraft
operations. The authorities are often governed by a group of airport commissioners
appointed to lead the charge by a government official. In a few countries, airport
authorities usually refer to private (non-government owned or affiliated) not-for-profit
companies. Airports de Paris is the authority responsible for the operation of airports
in France. Similarly, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Dubai Airports Company, Airport
Authority of India manages the operation in Hongkong, UAE and India respectively.
The Airports Council International is the world trade association of airport authorities.
In this unit we will discuss the origin of AAI, its significance and functions.

4.2 AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA (AAI)

Airports Authority of India (AAI) was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came
into being on 1st April 1995 by merging erstwhile National Airports Authority and
International Airports Authority of India. The merger brought into existence a single
Organization entrusted with the responsibility of creating, upgrading, maintaining and
managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and air space in the country.
The AAI Act enables AAI to grant concession to a private entity that has been given
the tasks of financing, development, operation, and maintenance of the airport by
AAI.
AAI manages a total of 137 airports which include 24 International airports (3 Civil
Enclaves), 10 Custom Airports (4 Civil Enclaves) and 103 Domestic airports (23 Civil
Enclaves). AAI also provides air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical
miles of air space.
During the year 2019-20, AAI handled aircraft movement of 1314.23 thousand
[International 156.0 & Domestic 1158.23], Passengers handled 159.59 million
[International 22.26 & Domestic 137.33] and the cargo handled 909.32 thousand
MT [International 452.46 & Domestic 456.85]. Further, all Indian airports taken
together have handled aircraft movement of 2587.05 thousand [International 431.85
& Domestic 2155.20], Passengers handled 341.05 million [International 66.54&
Domestic 274.51] and the cargo handled 3328.63 thousand MT[International 2003.12
& Domestic 1325.51].
AAI also provides Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over entire Indian Air
Space and adjoining oceanic areas with ground installations at all Airports and 25
other locations to ensure safety of Aircraft operations. All major air-routes over Indian
landmass are Radar covered (29 Radar installations at 11 locations) along with VOR/
DVOR coverage (89 installations) co-located with Distance Measuring Equipment
(90 installations). 52 runways are provided with ILS installations with Night Landing
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Airport Handling Facilities at most of these Airports and Automatic Message Switching System at 15
Airports.
AAI has its corporate headquarters in New Delhi. The five regional headquarters are
Eastern Regional Headquarter at Kolkata, Western Regional Headquarter at Mumbai,
Northern Regional Headquarter at Delhi, Southern Regional Headquarter at Chennai
and North-Eastern Regional Headquarter at Guwahati.

4.3 MISSION AND VISION OF AAI

AAI operates with a mission to be the foundation of an enduring Indian aviation network
providing high quality, safe, and customer-oriented airport and air navigation services,
thereby acting as a catalyst for economic growth in the area of service’. The Airports
Authority Act (the “AAI Act”) was enacted by the Government of India in 1994. It
stated that all government airports are to be developed, financed, operated, and
maintained by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The AAI Act enables AAI to
grant a concession to a private entity that has been given the tasks of financing,
development, operation, and maintenance of the airport by AAI. Airports other than
those managed by AAI are governed by the provisions of the Aircraft Act and the
Rules made there under.

4.3.1 Mission of AAI

The mission of AAI as mentioned on the website says “To be the foundation of an
enduring Indian aviation network, providing high quality, safe and customer-oriented
airport and air navigation services, thereby acting as a catalyst for economic growth in
the areas we serve.”

4.3.2 Vision of AAI

AAI’s vision till 2026 is:
 To be the pre-eminent Air Navigation Service provider with Global Recognition;
 To adopt state of art technology to drive safe navigation in the Indian airspace;
 To maintain the highest standards of excellence in providing modern, sustainable
and robust airport infrastructure;
 Support improving air connectivity at unserved and under-served airports;
 Have an effective organization equipped to face the emerging challenges from
the exponential air traffic growth;
 Focus on profitable operations at Major airports through continuing efforts
on cost reduction and enhancing non-aeronautical revenue.

4.4 RELEVANCE OF AAI IN THE AVIATION SECTOR

The significance of air transport has increased considerably along with the phenomenal
growth in air traffic. Airports have become the critical center of aviation operation,
with more and more business taking place in and around the airports. Aviation
infrastructure, especially airport facilities and air navigation services, has significantly
60 expanded and improved to meet the increasing demands. Till 1986, all airports were
managed by the Government of India directly, until the International Airports Authority’s Airport Authority of
India (AAI)
formation in 1972 and the National Airports Authority of India in 1986. To
professionalize international airports’ Management, India’s International Airports
Authority was created in 1972 and given the international airports’ responsibility at
Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkota, and Chennai. With a positive response from this, India’s
National Airports Authority was set up in 1986 to manage and operate the remaining
government airports. Another restructuring was the merging of these into the Airports
Authority of India.
 AAI provides Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over entire Indian
Air Space and adjoining oceanic areas.
 India is the first country in the South East Asian region to use the Automatic
Dependence Surveillance System (ADSS), using indigenous technology, at
Calcutta and Chennai Air Traffic Control Centers.
 Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) procedures have already been
implemented at Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmadabad Airports and are likely to be
implemented at other Airports in a phased manner.
 AAI has undertaken GAGAN, a project with a technical collaboration with
the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO), where the satellite-
based system will be used for navigation. The signals received from the GPS
are augmented to achieve the navigational requirement of aircraft. The first
phase of the project has already been completed in February 2008.
 AAI has also planned to provide a Ground-Based Augmentation System
(GBAS) at Delhi and Mumbai Airports. This GBAS is capable of providing
differential corrections and integrity monitoring of Global Navigation Satellite
Systems. Category-II, the curved approach is another plan to land signals to
the aircraft, thus replacing the existing instrument landing system in the long
run.
 The specific training, focus on improving the employee response and the
professional skill up-gradation, has been manifested. AAI’s operates four
training establishments viz. Civil Aviation Training College(CATC) -Allahabad,
National Institute of Aviation Management and Research (NIAMAR) - Delhi
and Fire Training Centres (FTCs) at Delhi & Kolkata
 AAI hasa Flight Inspection Unit(FIU), and it has a fleet of three aircraft fitted
with the latest state-of-art fully automatic flight inspection system.
 AAI endeavors to make its operations more transparent and make available
instantaneous information to customers by deploying state-of-art Information
Technology.
 In February 2009, it was granted “Miniratna Category 1 PSE” status by the
Centre.
Major achievements of AAI are mentioned below:

Sl. No. Projects Description

1 Automatic  India was the first nation in South-East Asia to

Dependence implement ADSS at Chennai & Kolkata Air
Surveillance Traffic Control Centres.
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Airport Handling
System/ADSS  This enabled Air Traffic Control over oceanic
areas using satellite mode of communication.
2 GAGAN Project  GAGAN is implemented by AAI in alliance with
ISRO
 To get the navigational requirement of the
aircraft, navigation signals received from the
Global Positioning System (GPS) would be
augmented.
3 Performance-  AAI has also implemented Performance Based
Based Navigation Navigation Procedures at the airports in Delhi,
Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Table 3.11 : Major Achievements of AAI

Check Your Progress - 1

1. Describe the origin of AAI.

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2. How many airports does AAI manage?
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3. What is the need of GBAS?
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4.5 PRIMARYSERVICES OF AIRPORT AUTHORITY

OF INDIA
Some of the most the major functions of AAI include:
1. Passenger Facilities
The AAI has the primary function of construction, modification & management of
passenger terminals, development & management of cargo terminals, development
and maintenance of apron infrastructure including runways, parallel taxiways, apron,
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 etc. Provision of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance includes DVOR / Airport Authority of
India (AAI)
DME, ILS, ATC radars, visual aids, etc. Provision of air traffic services, passenger
facilities, and related amenities at its terminals and ensuring safe and secure operations
of aircraft, passenger, and cargo in the country are AAI’s responsibilities.
2. Air Navigation Services
With the plan of modernization of Air Navigation infrastructure, AAI has been
working for the transition to satellite-based Communication, Navigation,
Surveillance, and Air Traffic Management.
Several co-operation agreements and memoranda of co-operation have been signed
with US Federal Aviation Administration, US Trade & Development Agency,
European Union, Air Services Australia and the French Government Co-operative
Projects and Studies to gain from their experience.
AAI, through such various collaborations, is being exposed to the latest technology,
modern practices & procedures being adopted to improve the overall performance
of Airports and Air Navigation Services.
Adoptions of the new and improved procedure and induction of new equipment
ensure the security of Indian airspace.
Introduction of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) to increase airspace
capacity, reduce congestion in the air and; implementation of GPS and Geo
Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) jointly with ISRO are recent security- based
developments.
3. Security
A number of steps were taken, including the deployment of CISF for airport
security, CCTV surveillance system at sensitive airports, latest and state-of-the-
art X-ray baggage inspection systems, premier security& surveillance systems for
ensuring the security of Indian airspace. Smart Cards for access control to vital
installations at airports are also being considered by AAI to supplement security
personnel’s efforts at sensitive airports.
4. Aerodrome Facilities
In AAI, the basic approach to planning airport facilities has been adopted to create
capacity ahead of demand. Towards the implementation of this strategy, many
projects for extension and strengthening of the runway, taxi track, and aprons at
different airports have been taken up. Extension of runway to 7500 ft. has been
taken up to support Airbus-320/Boeing 737-800 category of aircraft at all airports.
5. Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
ARFF services are provided by AAI at 67 airports as per guideline provided by
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) & Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA).Airport Rescue & Fire Services have also become binding on
safety of occupants and avoidance of fire risks to equipment, terminal / technical
building and vital installations at 125 airports. Activities of rescue& fire services at
airports are:
 Level of Protection provided at airports for Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting
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Airport Handling (ARFF) purposes according to the designated category of the airport as per
the ICAO standard.
 Compliance of ICAO, DGCA& AAI Fire Orders.
 Fire prevention and protection of ATC Tower, Terminal Building, Technical
Building, Cargo and other Airport infrastructures.
 Fire Orders/ Circulars are issued & updated for various activities and services
which are related to fire safety and emergency services.
 The Airport Fire Service conducts various emergency exercises Full Scale
Emergency Exercise, Partial Exercise, Building evacuation Drill, Mock Drill
etc.
 Fire investigation and analysis
 Mutual aid fire fighting with other fire safety assistance services like City Fire
Brigade & Industrial Fire Services.
 First Aid Firefighting Training to all stakeholders at airports.
 Ambulance services provide to the aircraft passengers.
 AAI Rescue & Fire Services Introduced Fire Consultancy Services for other
organization.
6. HRD Training
Development and Technological enhancements and consequent refinement of
operating standards and procedures, new means of safety and security, and
improvements in management techniques call for continuing training to update
officers and staff’s knowledge and skill. For this purpose, AAI has several training
establishments, viz.
 National Institute of Aviation Training and Management (NIAMAR), Delhi
 Civil Aviation Training College (CATC),Allahabad
 Fire Training Centres (FTC), Delhi & Kolkata
 Air Traffic Controllers, Rescue & Fire Fighting personnel
 Hyderabad Training Centre at Hyderabad (HTC)
NIAMAR & CATC are ICAO TRAINER program members under which they
share Standard Training Packages (STP) from central pool for imparting training
on various subjects. Both CATC & NIAMAR have also contributed some STPs
to the Central collection under ICAO TRAINER program. International students
have also been participating in the training program being conducted by these
institutions.
7. IT Implementation
Information Technology holds the key to operational and managerial efficiency,
transparency and employee productivity. AAI initiated a program to indoctrinate
IT culture among its employees, and this is the most powerful tool to enhance
efficiency in the organization. AAI website with domain name
64 www.airportsindia.org.in or www.aai.aero is a popular website giving a host of
 information about the organization besides domestic and international flight Airport Authority of
India (AAI)
information of interest to the public in general and passengers in particular.
Hence, in brief, the functions of the Airport Authority of India include,
 Design, Development, Operation and Maintenance of international and
domestic airports and civil enclaves.
 Control and management of the Indian airspace extending beyond the country’s
territorial limits, as accepted by ICAO.
 Construction, Modification and Management of passenger terminals.
 Development and Management of cargo terminals at international and domestic
airports.
 Provision of passenger facilities and information systems at the passenger
terminals at airports.
 Expansion and strengthening of operation area, viz. Runways, Aprons, Taxiway
etc.
 Provision of visual aids.
 Provision of Communication and Navigation aids, viz. ILS, DVOR, DME,
Radar etc.
 Ensuring safe and secure operations of aircraft, passengers, and cargo in the
country.

4.6 OTHER SERVICES OF AAI

AAI is also related to functions and operations that are not taking place within the
physical infrastructure of the Airport. Some of these related functions and activities of
AAI are mentioned below:

4.6.1 Consultancy Services of AAI:

Airport Authority of India of confers various consultancy services like,
i. Airport Feasibility Studies (Site selection/Technical Feasibility, Topography
Surveys, cartography and Soil & pavement Investigation Facilities, Airport
Obstruction Clearance Surveys, Air Traffic Forecasts & Normative Surveys)
ii. Airport Development Services (Concept to commissioning service for new green
filed airports.
iii. Preparation of TOR, Preparation of DPRS, Mandatory ministry clearances, RFP
for module implementation/Scrutiny/Award.
iv. Airport Commercial Viability Studies/Airport Audit Services.
v. Airport Master Planning.
vi. Designing, Evaluation & Construction of Air Passenger Terminals/Air Cargo
Terminals and Airport Pavements, Design of Aircraft Hangars and Supporting
Infrastructure, Airport Electrical Installations/Approach and Night Landing
Facilities, Remodeling, Modernisation of Airports. 65
Airport Handling vii. Planning, Installation, Operation & Maintenance of Radars, Nav Aids, Visual &
Non-Visual Landing Aids, and Communication Facilities.
viii. Air Space &Air Traffic Management, Air Route Re-Structuring.
ix. Development of SIDS, STARS, IAL Procedures, Obstruction Charts.
x. Computerisation (Cargo Handling, Integrated Passenger Information System,
Automatic Self Briefing System, Airport Terminal Information System, Air Traffic
Management and Airlines Billing.
xi. Automatic Message Switching System.
xii. Training (Air Traffic Controllers, Airport Air Side Management (Ground Flight
Safety), Radar & Nav. Aids & Communication Equipment, Engineers, Airport
Terminal Management, Airport Fire Services.
xiii. Flight Calibration of Airport Ground Facilities (Commissioning & routine flight
check of RADAR System, VOR, DME, NDB, ILS, VASI, PAPI etc.

4.6.2 AAI Startup Initiatives

The startup initiative offers AAI the opportunity to leverage its startup ecosystem to
drive innovation in its functions, leading to more efficient airports and a better passenger
experience. Launched on the 16th of January 2016, this program provides an excellent
opportunity to work with India’s Airports Authority towards customizing and developing
relevant airport innovations at airports across the country. Selected startups are provided
with funding and mentorship by the Airports Authority of India. Startups are judged
based on the following criteria:
 Relevance in terms of AAI’s core mandate
 Potential incremental value add/ savings
 Innovativeness of idea
 Team capability in terms of ability to deliver
 The willingness of the team to dedicate resources for the POC(Proof of Concept)
 The criticality of the problem that the startup is trying to serve
Major Focus Sectors for AAI Startup Initiative - Innovate for Airports program is on,
 Logistics  Security Solutions
 Airport Operations  Robotics
 IT& Data Analytics  Air Navigation System
 Renewable Energy  Passenger Delight

4.6.3 Fire Training Centers

i. Fire Service Training Centre, Kolkata
Fire Service Training Centre, Kolkata also known by its acronym as FSTC,
established in the year 1954, at Kolkata by the Ministry of CivilAviation, Govt. of
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 India to meet the requirement of trained fire safety personnel for fire & rescue Airport Authority of
India (AAI)
services in the aviation sector. FSTC is a premier training centre in the field of
aviation fire and rescue service which works towards developing the professional
skills and upgrading the knowledge of rescue and fire fighters. Also, conduct Basic
Training Course for private candidates and advance course in fire and rescue for
Officer and staff of ports & shipping industries.
ii. Fire Training Centre, New Delhi
In the year 1976, International Airports Authority of India, Government of India
Undertaking established Fire Training Centre to meet the training requirement of
fire safety personal for International Airports namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,
Chennai& Trivandrum.
Both training centers are enlisted in training directory of International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) and advisory circular of Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). Training Centre at New Delhi is an ICAOTRAINAIR PLUS CERTIFIED
centre and Training Centre at Kolkata is in line for certification.

4.7 REVENUE FOR AAI

A significant portion of the Airport Authority of India’s revenue is generated from landing/
parking fees and fees collected by providing Air Traffic Control services to aircraft
over the Indian airspace. Delhi International Airport (DIAL) and Mumbai International
Airport (MIAL), the two private airports under concession agreements with the AAI,
signed during the privatization process in 2006, have to pay a percentage of their
revenue to the government authority. DIAL pays 45.99 percent and MIAL38.7 percent
of its revenues as fees to the AAI. Around twenty-five percent of AAI’s revenues
come from these privatized airports. AAI’s revenue makes it one of the few profitable
public sector units.

Check Your Progress-2

1. What are the functions of AAI?

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2. List out the consultancy services of AAI.
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3. What the significant sources of revenue for AAI
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Airport Handling
4.8 LET US SUM UP
Airports are the organized area of land where aviation operations are planned, controlled,
and managed. Airport Authority of India, a statutory body, working under the DGCA,
Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India is a responsible body that works with
the vision of maintaining the highest standard of excellence in providing sustainable,
modern, and robust airport infrastructure; and there by safe and profitable operations
of major airports of India. Through continuous efforts, AAI ensures airport security,
maintenance of the quality, and profitable operations of Indian airports.

4.9 FURTHER READINGS

 Edissa Uwayo (2016) Airline and Airport Operations, Chennai: Notion Press
 Official website of Airport Authority of India https://www.aai.aero
 Airport Authority of India Annual reports

4.10 CLUES TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES

Check Your Progress - 1

1. See section 4.1 and 4.2 to frame your answer

2. See section 4.2 and frame your answer
3. See section 4.4 and frame your answer

Check Your Progress - 2

1. See section 4.5 and frame your answer

2. See section 4.6 and frame your answer
3. See section 4.7 and frame your answer

4.11 ACTIVITIES
1. Collect the details of airports managed by Airport Authority of India
2. Analyze the ongoing construction and consultancy projects of Airport Authority of
India
3. Know the board members and key managerial personnel of AAI.

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