India’s civil aviation industry is on a high-growth trajectory. It has ushered in a new era of expansion, driven by factors such as low-cost carriers, modern airports, Foreign Direct Investment in domestic airlines, introduction of advanced information technology and growing emphasis on regional connectivity.
However, to become the leader in global aviation, the country’s infrastructure needs a massive overhaul. Indian airports, at present, are ill-prepared for the increase in passengers. Existing Indian airport infrastructure is expected to exceed its maximum structural capacity by FY 2022 and this level could be breached earlier if the new airport projects get delayed. Apart from overhauling the infrastructure, India also needs to address the immediate challenges such as lack of trained manpower in aviation, taxation structure on airline turbine fuel (ATF), and shortage of maintenance facilities, to emerge as a global aviation hub.