It is good news that the Indian civil aviation industry is completing 100 years. Simultaneously, the time has come for the government to give the country’s aviation industry serious thought.
Right now, the industry is facing many challenges that must be handled carefully. To start with, the performance of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at airports is not up to the mark. India should learn techniques from Dubai and Singapore where ATC performance levels are over 55 flights every hour.
Two, the ever-increasing cost of airport infrastructure has led to an increased cost of air travel. Though there is a need for privatisation, air travel should be cost-effective and passenger-friendly.
Given the dismal state of many airports in India, airlines will find it difficult to attract passengers. The government should have a blueprint for the existing airports. Also new business models are the need of the hour.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
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