Lok Sabha
Licensing of all airports in India has been made compulsory. This information was given to the Parliament today, by Shri Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation.
There are 454 airports/airstrips in the country. Of these, 97 are owned by Airports Authority of India (AAI), 158 are owned by various State Governments, 138 are owned by Ministry of Defence and 61 are private airports/airstrips.
Most of the operational airports owned by AAI meet the standards set up by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Steps are continuously taken to improve the standards at remaining airports of AAI.
The reasons for some of the airports not meeting the ICAO standards can be attributed to non-availability of land adjoining the airport boundary, uncontrolled development around the airport and rapid growth of air traffic causing crowd at terminal building and car park area of various airports.
MC/GK
(Release ID :16126)