AAI Invests ₹796 Crore in Airport Maintenance

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has significantly increased its investment in airport maintenance, spending approximately ₹796 crore in the last fiscal year. This marks a nearly 20% rise from the previous year, when the expenditure was ₹663.42 crore. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the spending was ₹535.02 crore, showcasing a consistent increase over the years.

Covering 101 airports, this expenditure is part of AAI's efforts to ensure operational efficiency and safety. However, 20 of the 121 AAI airports did not receive any maintenance funds. Recent incidents, such as the collapse of the forecourt canopy at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1D and damage to canopies at Jabalpur and Rajkot airports, have underscored the need for robust maintenance practices.

In response to these incidents, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol has mandated third-party audits for structural stability and comprehensive evaluations of civil, electrical, and technical aspects before each monsoon season. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also conducts annual inspections focusing on airside infrastructure.

Looking ahead, AAI and its public-private partnership (PPP) collaborators have allocated over ₹91,000 crore for capital expenditure from 2019-20 to 2024-25. This substantial budget aims to develop, upgrade, and modernize various airports across India, ensuring they meet contemporary standards and can handle increasing passenger traffic effectively.

News by Rahul Yelligetti