Our ultimate goal is to contribute to creating world-class airports.

Amit Sharma
MD & CEO, Tata Consulting Engineers

How do you assess the current status of India’s airport sector?

India’s airport sector is currently undergoing a significant transformation.While a majority of the airports are managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), we are witnessing the rise of private players like Adani, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), GMR, and Zurich/Noida, who are contributing to the sector’s growth and modernisation. The government’s ambitious plan to develop 200 new airports over the coming years is a testament to the growing demand for air travel in the country. Additionally, the planned privatisation of 14 airports, coupled with major projects such as the new airports in Noida and Navi Mumbai, the expansion of Chennai and Pune airports, and the development of a second airport in Bengaluru, will further enhance the sector's capacity and infrastructure. Tata Consulting Engineers is proud to be a part of this dynamic sector, contributing to its growth through innovative engineering solutions.

What are the innovations happening in India’s airport infrastructure developments?

Innovation is central to the ongoing developments in India’s airport infrastructure. The implementation of biometric-based check-ins and immigration processes is enhancing security and efficiency, while faster security checks are improving the passenger experience. Sustainability is also a critical focus, with efforts directed towards water reuse, achieving net-zero carbon emissions, the adoption of electric vehicles, and the integration of solar power where feasible. Looking ahead, the adoption of SAF and possibly hydrogen as an aircraft fuel and the shift towards satellite-based navigation systems, potentially replacing traditional air traffic control towers, represent the next wave of advancements in this sector.

What is lacking in the Indian airport infrastructure and operations? What are the measures needed?

Despite significant advancements, there are still areas within Indian airports that require improvement to enhance overall efficiency and passenger experience. The time taken from entering the airport to boarding the aircraft remains a challenge, often due to congestion during peak hours and bottlenecks at security checks. Flight delays and cancellations continue to be a concern. Additionally, the lack of adequate passenger facilities at some airports affects the overall experience. To address these shortcomings, Tata Consulting Engineers believes there is a need for further digitisation, enhanced infrastructure, improved traffic management, and better passenger amenities. We have undertaken few recent studies on infrastructure management, traffic management, decongestion and airport asset management.

What is your vision on India’s airport infrastructure development?

At Tata Consulting Engineers, our vision for India's airport infrastructure development focuses on delivering cutting-edge engineering solutions for the development of new airports, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, as well as the modernization of existing facilities. We recognize that privatization plays a vital role in driving these developments forward, leading to enhanced operational efficiencies and improved passenger experiences. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to creating world-class airports that meet the highest standards of efficiency, sustainability, and customer service.