Meanwhile, out of its total order of 68 new Boeing aircraft, Air India will receive 15 Boeings to add to its current fleet size of 44. Indian Airlines, too, will get seven Airbus aircraft delivered between June and December next year taking its fleet size to 81.

Having successfully pushed for the modernisation and restructuring of Delhi and Mumbai airports by involving private players, the government will also take a final call on the modernisation of Chennai and Kolkata airports. While the West Bengal government has already conveyed to the Centre that it want AAI to execute the works, the M. Karunanidhi led DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been pushing to get it done through the model followed for Delhi and Mumbai.

However, with land being a major constraint in Chennai, the government may also explore possibilities to have a greenfield airport there. The government is also going to complete the bidding process and selection of joint venture partners for constructing the new greenfield airport at Navi Mumbai next year. The shape of 35 non-metro airports is also likely to improve next year with AAI planning to shell out Rs 4,662 crore to refurbish airside and city side areas. Airports in the north east are also likely to see major development works next year.

Batting strongly for the need to have better regional connectivity, Patel has already made clear his ministry’s intentions to develop airstrips in some of the lesser known areas of the country. This year may see work begin to develop airstrips at places like Ajmer, Mount Abu, Behala, Cooch Behar, Jharsuguda, Malda, Muzaffarpur, Kamalpur, Kailashar, Passighat, Rupsi, Akola, Hassan and Mysore.

... contd.