The Airport Authority of India (AAI),Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) observes Aviation Safety Awareness Week (ASAW) at all airports and Air Navigation Services (ANS) locations managed by AAI across India to raise awareness of Aviation Safety.
- Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2024 was held from 25th to 29th November 2024.
2024 Event:
i.Chairman of AAI Vipin Kumar inaugurated the event and emphasized AAI’s dedication to aviation safety, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Aviation Safety Plan, through Safety Awareness Week.
ii.The Safety Awareness Week started with a presentation by Captain Hemant Kumar, Vice President & Chief of Flight Safety at Indigo Airlines.
iii.This was followed by a presentation from Vineet Kumar, Head of Safety & Compliance at Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (GMR) Delhi International Airport, who highlighted the importance of handling missed approaches and managing bird and wildlife issues at airports.
Key facts:
i.AAI manages 137 airports, including 24 international airports, 10 customs airports, 80 domestic airports, and 23 domestic civil enclaves at defence airfields.
ii.The Indian aviation industry plans to increase the number of operational airports from 157 in 2024 to over 350 by 2047.
iii.AAI also offers Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) throughout Indian airspace and nearby ocean areas, with ground facilities at all airports and 25 other locations to ensure the safety of aircraft operations.
iv.India’s aviation market is experiencing rapid growth, and it is expected to become the third-largest aviation market globally by 2042, after China and the U.S.
History of Indian Aviation:
i.India’s civil aviation started in 1911 .The first commercial flight in India was operated by a pilot named Henri Pequet from Allahabad to Naini, covering a distance of 10 miles .
ii.In 1932, Tata Airlines was launched, marking the beginning of scheduled air services in India.
iii.In 1947, India was included in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
iv.Sarla Thakral made history by becoming the first Indian woman pilot, marking a significant milestone.
Government Programs/Schemes :-
i.Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) designed to enable air operations on underserved / unserved routes connecting regional areas, promote balanced regional growth and make flying affordable for public.
ii.Financial Support to the Selected Airline Operators is in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
iii.Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 in 2021 is to provide air transportation and logistics support for perishable agri-produce.
About the Airport Authority of India:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a government-owned statutory organization under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
Chairman – Vipin Kumar
Established – 1995
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
