Govt mulls converting unused airports into SEZs : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Govt mulls converting unused airports into SEZs

NEW DELHI: The government is looking at converting some unused airports into special economic zones where aircraft leasing companies can park their planes and showcase them to potential customers, a senior official said today.



New Delhi, June 23

The government is looking at converting some unused airports into special economic zones where aircraft leasing companies can park their planes and showcase them to potential customers, a senior official said today.

Besides, it would explore ways to reduce the cost of leasing aircraft as part of larger efforts to make the domestic aviation space more attractive, Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey said.

The new civil aviation policy, unveiled on June 15, provides for measures to enhance regional connectivity and reducing the cost of leasing would help this initiative.

The Civil Aviation Ministry would look at the possibility of utilising certain unused airports for the purpose of parking aircraft and even use aerodromes for plane-breaking or dismantling of old aircraft. There are around 400 unused airports and airstrips across the country.

“I met someone who said that we have so many airports in the country. Is it possible for us to declare some of them as SEZs (Special Economic Zones) and allow them to be used for two things. One for leasing companies all over the world to come and park the aircraft.

“We are doing well in ship breaking and he was saying can’t we do something in plane-breaking,” Choubey said here.

Noting that these are “exciting ideas”, he said efforts should be made to derisk the aviation sector.

Striking a note of caution, he said however that even though the Indian aviation sector is witnessing strong growth, it needs to be ensured that it stays ahead of the growth curve.

“If we fall behind the growth curve, for example as it happened in case of urban development in the country, which then led to slums, then there will be chaos in the skies, airports...and we will probably not be forgiven by people,” he said.

According to him, there are various growth challenges in the aviation sector including on how “do we marry security requirements with growth requirements”.

About regional connectivity scheme mooted in the new civil aviation policy, Choubey said if the crude price remains soft for the next 4-5 years, by then regional air connectivity would have found very strong roots.

“Where will you find the possibility of 20 per cent growth rate in the next 10 years. It is very very exciting,” he said about the sector, while speaking at an industry event. — PTI

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari’s death

Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari on Tuesday alleged that his brother...

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh are among the poorest regions...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

CBI files chargesheet against 20 institutes, 105 individuals in Himachal Pradesh multi-crore scholarship scam

CBI files chargesheet against 20 institutes, 105 individuals in Himachal Pradesh multi-crore scholarship scam

22 educational institutions were on CBI radar in the scholar...


Cities

View All