“Set up national aeronautics panel”

Chennai: A National Aeronautics Commission has to be established at the earliest, said V. Thulasidas, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India.
Speaking at the 59th Annual General Meeting of the Aeronautical Society of India here on Friday, Mr Thulasidas said the Commission would help in promoting and integrating the various organisations now working under different Ministries, to develop a vibrant and active national aeronautics programme.
Aircraft movement
The civil aviation sector has also been growing by leaps and bounds. The aircraft movements had shown a growth rate of 17 per cent with 9.79 lakh landing/take-off per year in 2006-07 from Indian airports. The passenger traffic had grown by 22 per cent and the cargo by about 10 per cent in the last two years.
The passenger traffic is estimated to grow from 90 million a year to 313 million by 2015 and 605 millions by 2020. The airline industry in the country is expected to spend more than Rs 1.32 lakh million by 2015 for purchasing aircraft, he said. In view of this growth, the airport infrastructure needed a rapid upgrading and expansion plan to cater to the projected demand.
02/02/08 The Hindu

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2008