Page 2 - Indian Airports

Delhi airport to start full body scanner trials in May, may cut wait time

Delhi airport will start trials of full body scanners in May, with the airport operator DIAL saying that the scanners will generate a standardised 2D image on a preset human avatar so that no personal images are stored in the system. Four scanners have been procured, with two installed at Terminal 1 (T1) and two at Terminal 3 (T3). These scanners are expected to reduce the waiting time for passengers at the airport. "The IT interface for these machines is being finalised, and upon completion of the three-to-four-month trial, a BCAS-led committee will evaluate the findings and establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for full-scale implementation," Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a release on Friday. The scanners will be using millimeter-wave technology operating between 70 to 80 GHz. DIAL said that unlike conventional X-ray scanners, they do not emit radiation, making them safe for all travellers, including pregnant women and individuals with medical implants.

MIAL seeks user levy on domestic flyers, and 3.5x hike for int'l travel

To balance the impact of the increased UDF, Adani Group-led MIAL said it has also proposed a reduction of approximately 35 per cent in aircraft landing and parking charges

Competition next door, Delhi airport planning salary hike, bonus for staff

DIAL requested AERA to align manpower cost projections with its submissions and consider at least a nine per cent growth, as observed by AERA itself in previous "control periods"

Navi Mumbai Airport inauguration set for June after revised timeline

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani visited the NMIAL site on Sunday to review the progress of the project

Field reports on gender inclusion: Feminism takes different shapes

From doing away with some gender-friendly courtesies to choosing to be called Chairman, there's no one-size-fits-all way to serve the cause of feminism

GMR Airports Q3 results: PAT at Rs 202 cr, net income rises to Rs 2,081 cr

Swinging into the black, GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) on Tuesday reported a profit after tax of Rs 202 crore for the three months ended December 2024. GAL, which owns the airport business of GMR Group, had posted a loss of Rs 486 crore in the year-ago period. These figures are after tax from continuing operations. In the third quarter of the current fiscal, the company's net income rose to Rs 2,081 crore from Rs 1,738 crore a year ago, according to a regulatory filing. Airports at Delhi and Hyderabad, which are under GAL, saw rising air traffic in the 2024 December quarter. At the Delhi airport, passenger traffic "increased to 20.3 million, up by 8.1 per cent YoY from 18.8 million in Q3 FY24," the filing said. GMR Group also operates Goa airport as well as two airports in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Scams at airports: Key threats and how to stay safe while travelling

These incidents have raised red flags about the growing sophistication of scams, particularly in places like airports where people often have a heightened sense of security

Six airports leased out through competitive, transparent process: Naidu

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday said six airports were leased out to the Adani group through a thorough, competitive and transparent process. State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) has leased out six airports -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram -- to the Adani group. While mentioning about the leasing out of these airports, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said in the Lok Sabha that Niti Aayog and the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) were of the view that two airports should not be given to the same entity. Naidu, however, said there was no fact in the member's statement. These are wild allegations and an empowered group of secretaries, headed by Niti Aayog CEO, where DEA secretary was also a member, was constituted, he said. A thorough process was followed for the leasing out of the airports, he said, adding when they (Niti Aayog CEO, DEA secretary) were members of the group, where does the point arise tha

Air cargo seeing phenomenal growth amid Red Sea crisis: BIAL COO Satyaki

Alongside strong cargo performance, he discussed rising Digi Yatra adoption among domestic travelers and the airport awaiting regulatory guidance to deploy full-body scanners

Sarla Aviation, Bengaluru Airport tie up to launch electric flying taxis

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport is set to be a key hub for cutting-edge urban air mobility solutions with Sarla Aviation joining hands with the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to launch electric flying taxis. Last month, the two entities signed a statement of collaboration to explore sustainable air mobility, specifically electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This initiative, developed in Karnataka, aims to revolutionise air travel by introducing seven-seater electric flying taxis, which promise faster, cleaner, and more efficient transportation. While operations may still be two to three years away, Sarla Aviation's electric taxis promise a cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional helicopter services previously offered in Bengaluru. The Bengaluru-based company, co-founded by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar and Shivam Chauhan, is at the forefront of this transformation. Sarla Aviation plans to focus on four

IAF plane makes inaugural landing at upcoming Navi Mumbai airport

NMIAL will be the second airport to serve the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and will have a capacity of handling 20 million passengers in the first two phases of operations

Govt ropes in CBRI to advise operators on structural aspects of airports

The government has roped in the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to advise airport operators on the structural aspects of airports, according to a senior official. The move comes against the backdrop of the collapse of a canopy at the old departure forecourt of Terminal 1 (T1) at the Delhi airport in June. During the same month, there were also similar incidents at Jabalpur and Rajkot airports. Following the Delhi airport incident, the ministry decided to conduct a study of the structural aspects of T1 while state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) was asked to carry out an inspection of the structural strength of all minor and major airports. The senior civil aviation ministry official told PTI that Roorkee-based CBRI has been roped in for advising airport operators on the various structural aspects of the airports. The ministry is also planning to organise a technical workshop by CBRI for the airport operators. The official said the ministry is examining the repor

Adani Airports launches 'aviio' to give passengers real-time access data

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, the Adani group firm that operates seven airports in the country, has launched 'aviio' digital platform to provide passengers real-time data on variety of airport accesses - from wait times to gate change and bags on belt. Aviio aspires to bring the aviation community together to collaborate and serve passengers better, a top official said. By enabling airport stakeholders to access real-time data, passengers can expect easier access to airport information in the form of updates related to security checks, wait times, gate change and bags on belt, among other aspects, he said. With this path-breaking initiative, AAHL, a subsidiary of Adani group's flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd, aims to serve the aviation community and set new standards for airport operations management and passenger experience. With seven operational airports in its stable, and one more expected to go live during the middle of 2025, this platform for B2B services has been conceptualise

Private equity player GQG Partners hikes stake in GMR Airports to 5.17%

Private equity player GQG Partners has hiked its stake in GMR Airports Infrastructure to 5.17 per cent by snapping up additional shares worth over Rs 433 crore through open market transactions. GQG Partners, also a key investor in Adani Group, purchased 0.43 per cent stake in GMR Airports Infrastructure on August 23, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday. Prior to the transactions, GQG Partners held a 4.74 per cent shareholding in the company. Through its affiliates, Fort Lauderdale-based asset management firm GQG Partners acquired an additional 0.43 per cent or over 4.52 crore shares. At the closing price of Rs 95.85 apiece on August 23, the shares are worth more than Rs 433 crore. Earlier, GQG Partners held 7.66 per cent stake in the company but due to corporate actions, the shareholding reduced below 5 per cent, as per the filing. "On August 23, 2024, the acquirer and PACs (Persons Acting in Concert) acquired further shares of the company, resulting in their shareholdin

Carriers moving operations from Dabolim airport a matter of concern: CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has conveyed his government's concern to the Centre over airlines shifting their operations from the old international airport at Dabolim to the new one in Mopa in Pernem taluka which became functional early last year. Sawant raised the concern during a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, an official statement said here on Thursday. The statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Sawant, accompanied by his cabinet colleagues, including Mauvin Godinho (transport) and Rohan Khaunte (tourism), interacted with Naidu and junior civil aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol. Civil aviation secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam and Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman M Suresh were also present at the meeting in the national capital. The statement said the CM raised concern over the shifting of operations by airlines from the Dabolim aerodrome in South Goa to the Manohar International Airport (MIA) at Mopa, located ..

Customs, DRI seize 847 kg of gold worth Rs 544 cr at airports in Q1: FM

Customs and DRI officers have seized 847 kg of gold worth Rs 544 crore at various airports in the three months of the current fiscal till June, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman gave details of gold seizure cases at airports and seaports by Customs field formations and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25. In FY25, up to June 2024, 847.43 kg of gold was seized in 1,282 cases. The value of seized gold is Rs 543.61 crore. In the 2023-24 fiscal, there were 5,962 cases of seizure at airports with 3,714 kg of gold worth Rs 2,081 crore getting seized. In 2022-23, seizure of 2,776 kg of gold worth Rs 1,382 crore was made. In 2021-22, about 1,240 kg of gold worth Rs 572 crore was seized at the airports. The minister said Customs field formations are regularly sensitised to newer methods of smuggling. "On detection of gold smuggling cases, action is taken in accordance wi

Why travelling from these airports in India is expensive

Travelling from some airports in India has become expensive for flyers. And no, the airlines are not to be blamed for it at least this time.

Sky-high fees: Why flying from these 16 airports is costing you more

Major airports in India have raised their user development fees, aimed to cover revenue gaps but adding to the financial burden on travellers since the beginning of FY25

Airports need to review pricing strategies to increase profitability: Capa

Indian airports need to review their pricing strategies and can substantially increase their profitability by garnering more non-aeronautical revenues, according to aviation consultancy firm CAPA India. India is the world's third largest domestic civil aviation market and air traffic is on the rise. Airlines are increasing their fleet, operating more routes while airports are also expanding their capacities. Airports operated on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode generate more non-aero revenues compared to those operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the consultancy said during a webinar on Thursday. Just five PPP airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin -- accounted for 71 per cent of the total non-aeronautical revenue in India in FY2020, while handling 53 per cent of the total traffic, CAPA India said. Despite significant increases since privatisation, Indian PPP airports still have much more headroom to increase non-aero revenue to global levels,

European people coming more via India than West Asia: SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines is currently operating about 80 flights per week between Colombo and 11 cities in India