GUJSAIL's vision has been to ensure a state-of-the-art civil aviation infrastructure in Gujarat.

Capt. Ajay Chauhan

Chief Executive Officer, GUJSAIL

The Indian aviation sector has achieved newer heights by becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. How do you see this achievement and what is Gujarat's contribution to this?

The India aviation market is actually the fifth largest globally with ~341 million passengers handled and 153 operational airports in FY2020. A high growth rate was witnessed at the Ahmedabad airport between FY16-FY20 with a CAGR of 15.25% while the CAGR during the same period at the India level was only 11.32%. Gujarat airports are witnessing a surge of passenger as well as cargo demand.

The reasons behind Gujarat's sterling show are many and they stem from GUJSAIL's efforts at creating a state-of-the-art civil aviation infrastructure and system. The Government of Gujarat through GUJSAIL has initiated plans to develop new airports at 11 sites and has already initiated work at Ankleshwar, Rajula, Morbi, Rajpipla, Palitana, Dwarka, Ambaji and Rajkot.

Further, the state government proceeded towards establishing a General Aviation MRO facility in the city of Ahmedabad, setting up educational and training institutions and offering activities such as aero-sports, aero modelling and other related activities, thus making Gujarat a popular tourist destination.

In line with the Union Government's UDAN scheme, what are the efforts from GUJSAIL in setting up new greenfield airports in Gujarat? Which are the new projects coming up?

At GUJSAIL, we are helping take connectivity to greater heights. While we are enabling the implementation of Gujarat's civil aviation policies and the development of a state-of-the-art, related infrastructure, we are also giving wings to the Prime Minister's vision of UDAN. Through our initiatives on improving regional connectivity, GUJSAIL is linking - under the VGF scheme, various tourist and business destinations and providing faster and more economical transportation facilities to the people of Gujarat.

We've already connected Ahmedabad to Kishangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalgaon, Belgaum, Nashik, Kandla, and Porbandar. Also connected Surat to Kishangarh, Belgaum, and Jamnagar to Hyderabad and Bengaluru as well as connected Kandla and Porbandar with Mumbai. Surat has recently been connected to Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Ahmedabad under State VGF Scheme. Plans are in the offing to connect Ahmedabad and Mumbai soon with Keshod.

Beyond UDAN, GUJSAIL is helping create the infrastructure for the future. Taking cognizance of the inescapable fact that land will always be in short supply and this problem will escalate in the future, GUJSAIL is setting up airstrips, small airports and creating the groundwork and setting the foundation for the horizons ahead. 

Reports indicate that there is a considerable growth in air cargo volume despite the pandemic impact in the past couple of years. How do you look at the trend in air cargo in the country and in Gujarat in particular?

During the pandemic, the cargo industry was working at full capacity. Medicines and other essentials were the need of the hour and it is to the industry's credit that it rose to the occasion admirably. The pandemic taught us that it was necessary to ensure that the cargo reached the end efficiently and in the least possible time.

GUJSAIL is looking at setting up small cargo hubs through PPP model across all airports. Keeping the possibility of pandemics striking us again in the future, GUJSAIL is planning to develop warehouses near the existing airstrips in Gujarat for perishable cargo for easy and fast movement to support local farm products and cargo.

Further, GUJSAIL intends to build a cargo complex at Rajkot. This will incorporate all cutting-edge technologies like AR, IoT, Big Data, AI, Machine Learning, Green Sustainable, Net Zero Buildings, etc. Perishable goods can be handled more effectively and these can be utilised for medical equipment or pharmaceuticals usage. This cargo complex can become crucial during the natural calamities.

What are your plans towards seamless air connectivity in the state and with other states? How are these going to benefit the various business segments in Gujarat?

In the national requisite for boosting the economy of smaller cities and towns, regional connectivity plays an important role by making air travel accessible and affordable. Earlier, air connectivity in India was largely limited to metropolitan cities and some big cities or state capitals.

Through the announcement of UDAN-RCS under the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, Government of India set out to make air travel widespread. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) and RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) are efforts towards regional airport development and are two stellar initiatives. 

Through connectivity with the mini metros and smaller towns, GUJSAIL has successfully created a hub-and-spoke model which links them to the major cities across the country. Besides creating an efficient, cost-effective and orderly growth of air transport, GUJSAIL's endeavours are contributing significantly to the growth of trade, and tourism and generating employment opportunities across the aviation value chain. This is especially true in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which are witnessing a boom in economic activities.

MRO services play a major role in airport infrastructure. What are your efforts in providing an efficient MRO service network in the state airports?

Developing MROs in India is essential towards the growth of the Aviation Industry. They are an area from which industry could gain monetarily. But if it gets diverted to a neighbouring country, it means a loss in business, downward plummeting of employment opportunities in India and outflow of foreign exchange. GUJSAIL understands the reasons for such outflow and has made a plan for revising this trend.

GUJSAIL has undertaken to provide competitively priced, world-class MRO hubs in Gujarat. A Pilot Project to tackle the intricacies has been started already at Ahmedabad. This MRO provides service and expertise in the areas of Airframe Heavy Maintenance and Repairs, Component Services, Engine Maintenance and Repairs and Line Maintenance. It has already seen 60 inspections till date in a short span of time.  

In the wings is another MRO coming up soon at the Ankleshwar airport. Keeping with the 'Make in India' and 'Vocal for Local' initiatives of the government, GUJSAIL plans to develop land close to the proposed Ankleshwar airport for MRO and other aviation-related facilities to encourage the local entrepreneurs and companies to start aviation-related ventures. 

Adequate training is required to create a qualified and trained manpower in the aviation sector. What are the key programmes of GUJSAIL in this direction?

The government is supporting training institutes that can provide trained human resources to meet the needs of the growing aviation sector. Presently, one FTO at Mehsana is working efficiently. Looking at the various potentiality, available resources and positive support from the government, one more FTO has come up to establish training school for Pilots at Amreli out of the two locations for FTO identified at Amreli.

Towards protecting all the aviation assets in Gujarat, GUJSAIL is planning to develop and create a dedicated training facility at Ahmedabad for security personnel, fulfilling the norms of BCAS, Gujarat Civil Aviation Security Force, for airport, airstrips, water aerodrome, hangar and other key aviation assets/places.

Under the Skill Development initiatives, GUJSAIL regularly conducts Aero Education programs at schools in villages to encourage students to make their career in aviation sector. Planning for the future, GUJSAIL is exploring options to create a Centre of Excellence where people can work and research further in aviation related areas of metallurgy, composites, aerodynamics and more.

Which are the major demand drivers of aviation segment? What is the demand trend in Gujarat?

Passengers and their convenience and facilities will reign supreme as always. Connectivity is top of the mind for a large section of customers. GUJSAIL has enabled Gujarat to utilise maximum number of airports to be covered under RCS- UDAN scheme and in all phases of RCS-UDAN, routes have been further added to provide connectivity in better ways at reasonable rates.

Simultaneously, infrastructure needs to be ramped up. Be it providing world-class MROs, modernising and upgrading airports and airstrips or developing innovative seaplane service and water aerodrome in record time, GUJSAIL's vision has been to ensure a state-of-the-art civil aviation infrastructure in Gujarat, in turn, making a key contribution in the success of the state.

Cargo and its movement will play a key role going ahead. Also, GUJSAIL believes that awareness in careers in aviation should be promoted right from the school days. Middle schools are selected to provide various awareness activities so that students get exposure to the possibilities of career in aviation. The agencies that are qualified by GUJSAIL demonstrate activities comprising basic principles of aircraft, parts, components and controls, aero dynamics, assembly of aero models, demonstration of live aero model and aviation as a career to the students. These are covered through various live models and audio visuals in which students participate enthusiastically.

What are the key challenges you foresee in the airport infrastructure development? What is the way forward to iron out these challenges?

Aviation, being a Central subject, has to face far more challenges at the state level as compared to other sectors. There is now an absolute need for a Civil Aviation Policy at the state level. To enable this, GUJSAIL has already brought out a comprehensive tender.

The key challenge is planning and holistically addressing all the segments of aviation like MRO, Regional Connectivity, Aviation Training, Aero Sports and Manufacturing, along with clear outlined outcomes. Land, especially land for development of airports and other aviation related activities will always be an area of concern. Hence, it will be paramount to utilise the land that is currently available more efficiently.

The future of aviation technology needs to be paid heed to while creating airport infrastructure. With heavier planes set to become more common, shorter runways becoming the norm and cross runways being eased out, GUJSAIL feels the need for advisory bodies and committees who are familiar with global trends and research work being undertaken abroad. These entities can then recommend and guide the decision-making bodies and show the probable ways ahead.

Where do you see the Gujarat aviation market in the next ten years? What is your vision plan towards this?

Over the next decade, by striving to be a key part of the Central Government's aviation policy and decision-making body, GUJSAIL will help facilitate upgradation and modernisation of the aviation infrastructure in the state and integrate with the existing transport infrastructure.

GUJSAIL aspires to develop an Aviation Policy for Gujarat that will incentivise multiple sources of growth in the aviation sector through a resilient strategy that will be supported by a Policy Implementation Unit to ensure successful short- and long-term execution. The policy will aim to address gaps in the building blocks/ key enablers (Infrastructure, Institutions and Services) for the Aviation Sector in Gujarat and India.

Through a mix of financial incentives, regulatory enablement and infrastructure and skilling development, GUJSAIL will help establish an integrated eco-system by supporting the Centre at all possible levels and providing valuable inputs from the local level. This will lead to significant growth of civil aviation sector, which in turn would promote tourism, industries, increase employment and lead to a balanced regional growth.

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