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According to the data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), no international flights operated from several airports during the month of September.
While the international flight situation is alarming, the issue extends to domestic services as well. (PTI Photo)
In a startling revelation, it has been reported that 19 airports across the country have remained eerily quiet, with zero passenger traffic for an entire month. The list includes airports from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir. Among these, the names of Bhopal and Patna airports have also surfaced, surprising many given their strategic locations.
The findings highlight a significant discrepancy between infrastructure investments and actual airport operations. While the nation boasts a total of 52 international airports, not all of them are functioning as expected.
Currently, 52 airports aross the country are recognised as international, yet 15 of these are essentially dormant, with no international flights arriving or departing from them. In fact, some airports, despite being labelled as international hubs, have failed to see a single international flight for an extended period.
According to the data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), during the month of September, no international flights operated from several airports across the country. These include:
- Imphal (Manipur)
- Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
- Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
- Rajkot (Gujarat)
- Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
- Shirdi (Maharashtra)
- Agartala (Tripura)
- Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
- Gaya (Bihar)
- Vadodara (Gujarat)
- Bhavnagar (Gujarat)
- Jamnagar (Gujarat)
- Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Patna (Bihar)
- Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Domestic Flights Also Affected
While the international flight situation is alarming, the issue extends to domestic services as well. The AAI report highlights five airports that have not seen a single domestic flight in September, further exacerbating the problem. These airports include:
- Pakyong (Sikkim)
- Rupsi (Assam)
- Solapur (Maharashtra)
- Hisar (Haryana)
Interestingly, Kushinagar – an airport that has officially been granted international status – did not see both international and domestic flights, rendering it essentially non-functional.
Empty Terminals, Unused Infrastructure
While infrastructure development has been a key focus for the Centre, with crores invested in upgrading regional airports, many of these airports have empty terminals and unused runways. Despite having the infrastructure in place, the lack of flight operations points to deeper issues in the aviation sector, including poor planning, lack of demand, and insufficient connectivity. This is especially true for smaller cities and towns, where air travel may not yet be seen as a necessity or is not economically viable.
What’s Next for These Airports?
The question now is what steps will be taken to address this situation. Experts suggest that there needs to be a reassessment of the criteria for granting international status to airports. While infrastructural improvements are essential, they must be accompanied by proper flight operations, robust air traffic, and strategic planning to ensure the success of these airports.
The government’s focus should shift towards increasing both international and domestic connectivity to these airports through better route planning and partnerships with airlines. Furthermore, it is essential to encourage both domestic and international tourists to consider these airports as viable entry points to the country.
