Private sector participation is a must for the aviation industry to reach its best potential.

- Capt Ajay Chauhan

CEO, GUJSAIL

The aviation sector has been among the worst hit by the pandemic. How has it affected your plans?

Pandemic has restricted the momentum of the planned work of various aviation infrastructure projects under GUJSAIL, but it has in no way affected the vision and commitment of GUJSAIL towards transforming Indian skies and has been well-poised to play it part to herald unparalleled development of aviation sector in the country.

Regional connectivity plays an important role in making air travel accessible and affordable, and also in boosting the economy of smaller cities and towns. In India, air connectivity was largely limited to metropolitan cities and some big cities or state capitals. In July 2016, the Civil Aviation Ministry of the Government of India announced National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, which encompasses UDAN-RCS, UDAN which is an effort towards regional airport development, and the Regional Connectivity Scheme that aims to make air travel widespread.  

The Civil Aviation Department, Gujarat, and GUJSAIL have been successfully executing the mandate given to the state government for the process of building new airports including giving or acquiring land  for the new airfields, providing trained security and fire safety personnel, creating multimodal hinterland connectivity where needed, reduction in taxes where applicable, coordinate with companies to create fuelling facilities and provide water, electricity and other utilities at a reduced rate with future in mind and being conscious of upcoming needs.

We are developing new airstrips at Ankleshwar, Rajpipla, Morbi, and Ambaji, and later also at Dwarka and  Palitana.  GUJSAIL is also working on the development of permanent heliports and water aerodromes. Also, AAI has awarded three RCS routes by seaplane at Sardar Sarovar Dam (Statue of Unity), Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad and Shatrunjay Dam in Gujarat.

How then do you see the development of GUJSAIL in the next 5 years?

The Civil Aviation Department of Gujarat and GUJSAIL have taken pathbreaking steps in launching India's first seaplane service since the Ministry of Civil Aviation has included seaplane operations from water aerodromes under UDAN.  The Airport Authority of India has awarded seaplane routes connecting 12 water aerodromes, three of them are in Gujarat - Sardar Sarovar Dam (Statue of Unity), Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad and Shatrunjay Dam.  The first-ever seaplane operations under the UDAN scheme is operational between Sabarmati Riverfront and Statue of Unity, Kevadia, both operational water aerodromes. Shatrunjay Dam will also have a water aerodrome soon. Other water aerodromes will also be planned in future.  

Though the pandemic has slowed down the work on the plans, we expect to start the process of planning the Aviation Park soon.  The park will have a museum, airstrip, training school, and helipad among other aviation related facilities. It will raise awareness among students, professionals, policymakers, and business entities about the potential of growth in the aviation sector. An Aviation Park can develop into a one-stop destination for aerospace training, research, recreation and manufacturing as well as leasing. We also expect to have more flying schools in Gujarat.  

Also, the Government of India has identified 'GIFT-City' near Gujarat's state capital of Gandhinagar, as a 'Special Economic Zone' (SEZ) for the promotion of air-finance and leasing business. In line with the central government policies, the Government of Gujarat also intends to set up the Drone academy which is aiming to align itself with the best international practices to establish India as a technological hub for the usage of UAS and drones in varied applications.    

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 such aviation-related ventures. This is in keeping with the 'Make In India' and 'Vocal for Local' initiatives of the Government. 

How does GUJSAIL support the participation of private industry in the civil aviation sector?

GUJSAIL understands that private sector participation is a must for the industry to reach its best potential, and for this has always focused on the up-gradation and modernization of its airports and aviation infrastructure. GUJSAIL has made different schemes i.e. VGF, PPP, BOT, PBMC, and  BOOT, etc, etc. For any of its projects, GUJSAIL undertakes techno-commercial feasibility by a reputed consultant with a clear aim to encourage more private participation in accordance with the scheme document.

You had mentioned plans to set up an Aviation Park in Rajkot to raise awareness about the aviation sector. Have you been able to do that with the pandemic?

The state-of-the-art aviation park at Rajkot  is one of our major initiatives to raise awareness about the aviation sector. Though the Pandemic has slowed down the work on the plans, we expect to start the process of planning the Aviation Park soon. The park will have features like manufacturing unit, aviation awareness. Cluster having cargo centre, aero sports, airstrip, training school, and leasing centre helipad among others. It will raise awareness among students, professionals, policymakers, and business entities about the potential of growth in the aviation sector. An aviation park can develop into a one-stop destination for aerospace training, research, recreation, and manufacturing.

What are the factors that determine the setting up of the civil aviation department in respective states?

Today aviation is no more service for rich, but it has touched population of our nation at grass route level. Soon in the future, it is envisaged that the state will have to play a larger role and could  become a facilitator for regulator our country being so vast and a regulator having difficulties due to far spread airstrip and location and with most of states having own directorate of aviation things should be changed on lines of RTO services, where in aviation been central subject still small amount of task should be passed on to state for faster and efficient aviation system.

How do you differentiate Gujarat with other states of India in terms of implementing policies for civil aviation?

The civil aviation in Gujarat is at a very nascent stage. GUJSAIL was started in 2010. The state has a vision which encompasses most of the important pillars of aviation industry. The state is very focused and has been taking constant step to enhance civil aviation sector in Gujarat.  Power with any international player with may a schemes approved and already functional and now one already in pipeline. Gujarat is poised way ahead than other competitors.

Could you share with us your visions and priorities for GUJSAIL as well as the state's civil aviation sector? What are the challenges to be resolved and objectives to be achieved?

The aviation being a central subject has to face more challenges at the state level as compared to other sectors like:  energy, health industry, etc. For this, we visualize that there is now an absolute need for a Civil Aviation Policy at the state level. For this, GUJSAIL has already brought out a comprehensive tender. The policy will address all the segments of aviation like MRO, regional connectivity, aviation training, aero sports, manufacturing, with the clear outlined outcome. It will also give a transparent, fair, and level playing field to all those in the manufacturing of aviation products in line with the benefits being provided to other industries in the state. The other area which looks today's is the unavailability of trained & skilled resources in aviation. It is not because there is no interest from students, but because of a lack of guidance to the individual. GUJSAIL plans to encourage awareness so that such resource is absorbed in aviation and not a lot to other sectors like tourism or industry.

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