Time for reforms in aviation sector

The Ahmedabad Air India disaster provides a sombre occasion to reflect on the unresolved problems and challenges facing India's aviation sector.

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Though the country has made significant strides in the development of airports, these are largely offset by huge infrastructure challenges. Aviation experts have repeatedly flagged several issues including inadequate capacity to handle increasing air traffic, leading to delays and congestion, and recurring problems with building maintenance. There are also concerns about the quality of construction and materials used, highlighting potential issues with airport infrastructure management. Furthermore, a mismatch exists between ambitious airport expansion plans and actual passenger demand, with some newly built airports remaining underutilised while others struggle to handle the growing number of passengers and flights. There is a need to upgrade airport infrastructure and Air Traffic Control systems to support the rapid growth of the sector. On the one hand, the Indian aviation industry has emerged as a gl