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Chennai International Airport completes its first phase of flood-proofing after deluge last year. Is it enough?

2016-11-14T05:40:03+00:00

The employees of the Chennai International Airport can’t forget how water engulfed the tarmac on December 1 last year. Aircraft were stranded, surrounded by the surging floodwaters of the Adyar river that flows beside.

For the first time in its history, the Chennai airport was forced to shut operations for five days “It was like a Hollywood film,” recalls R Narayanan, an employee, who witnessed the devastation.

“The day the heavy rains began, we noticed a surge in the level of the Adyar river. At night, as water was released from the Chembarambakkam reservoir, the runway turned into a sea.”

The Chennai airport suffered huge losses due to the five-day shutdown: business losses to the tune of Rs 35.5 crore and losses worth Rs 31.06 crore due to damages to communication and navigation equipment and other facilities.

Plan of Action

Once the floodwaters receded, airport authorities began to chalk out a plan of action to flood-proof the fourth busiest airport in the country after Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. A three-phase plan was made, of which the first phase has been completed successfully.

“We have identified and made our plans in three parts for short term, medium term and long term,” says Chennai airport director Deepak Shastri.

“For the short term, we have taken mitigation measures — all the drains have been desilted, widened and strengthened. We coordinated with the local bodies to get the drains cleaned.”

Shastri added that immediate measures to prevent the flooding of runways have been put in place. “We have strengthened our compound walls and widened the Adyar river with the help of the state government. I am sure we will make good use of what we experienced. Even if a repeat of last year’s deluge happens, we will not suffer.”

For the mid- to long-term plan, the airport authority has asked IIT-Madras to collect data and provide them with a solution on how to floodproof the airport for good.

“IIT-Madras has done a 10-day drone survey and is finding out methods of getting back naturals flows of the river,” says Shastri. However, experts point out that the airport authorities have not addressed the actual cause of the flooding of runways last year and unless they do that promptly, instead of putting it off as a long-term strategy, the danger of floods is very real.

“The main reason for the flooding of the Chennai airport were the obstructions in the Adyar river,” says S Janakarajan, water resources expert with the Madras Institute of Development Studies.

“Every river has a natural flow and a path which begins from higher altitudes down to the sea. The Chennai airport is located on the banks of the Adyar river. The obstacles in the river downstream have blocked the natural flow of the river, causing it to flood the airport. We have used GPS visualisers to get some extraordinary findings. The river bed is raised by 2 metres from the Manimangalam area to the point where the Adyar river reaches the airport. Airport authorities have also built the the second runway on the river itself. The width of the river at this point has shrunk as a result. Unless these issues are first rectified, the danger of flooding will remain,” he said.

Airport authorities though blame the floods on unprecedented rainfall and on the work carried out on the Chennai Metro Rail, which they say, destroyed the existing drainage system, causing flooding.

“We are a coastal city,” says Shastri. “We are almost on mean sea level. Therefore the water flow is very slow. Excessive rain will cause problems. No system can prepare itself for rains of the magnitude we saw last year — it is something that happens once in a century. Even so, we are not sitting idle. We have done a lot of work with the help of the state government, the Chennai corporation, the public works department and the district administration. Because of the metro work, they had all the drains across the GST Road. That was the major reason for the flooding in the airport. The metro work is almost finished now,” he says.

Passengers and industry too remain sceptical, like the experts, despite authorities reiterating that the airport is safe. Twenty-nine airlines operate from Chennai to major international destinations, 10 airlines operate with cargo freighters. Annually 23 million passengers use the Chennai airport. By 2022, passenger traffic is expected to touch 33 million.

“Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, is able to attract foreign investment and companies because of the international airport here,” says A Srinivasan, a senior software professional working with an MNC.

“Fears over how safe the airport is will reflect on business investments. We cannot blame nature, we have to protect our infrastructure against possible disasters. The flood drowned many industries and factories in the city. If the airport had been open, we could have flown our workers out to safety at least. But the Chennai airport was the first to shut down. We are not sure what will happen this time so we have put in place our own early warning systems,” he says.

Source : economictimes

Nine flights diverted over Delhi smog

2016-11-07T05:49:18+00:00

JAIPUR: Nine flights, including three chartered planes were delayed by 4-5 hours from landing in Delhi this morning due to the smog situation there.

The aircrafts were diverted to Sanganer Airport here, an official said.

All the flights later departed for Delhi where they landed in the evening, Sanganer Airport Director J S Balahar said .

Domestic airfares may increase on revision of passenger services fee

2016-07-20T05:29:21+00:00

NEW DELHI: Domestic flights are likely to get pricier owing to an increase in passenger services fee (PSF), a component that has not been revised since 2002.

Each passenger pays Rs 130 as PSF and the fund accumulated from the levy is used primarily to pay salaries of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel manning the airports.

"An increase was necessitated after money collected by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private operators of DELHI and Mumbai through PSF was not sufficient to meet the cost of security at their airports," said a government official, who did not want to be identified.

The increase in PSF is likely to be nominal, the official said. It costs more thanRs 1,300 crore to provide security at airports across the country while the fund collected through PSF falls short by more thanRs 400 crore, officials said.

Of this shortfall, the state-owned AAI has a deficit of Rs 150 crore a year that it pays from its own corpus. The rest is borne by the private operators of airports.

Mumbai airport used to be profitable till the Terminal 2 was opened in January 2014, after which its expense on security increased, the official cited earlier said.

Emails and messages sent to spokespersons of Delhi and Mumbai airports did not elicit any response till late evening on Tuesday. Kochi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports, on the other hand, earn more through PSF than they are able to spend, the official said.

The PSF collected from passengers departing from private airports goes into the account of the private operator concerned and collections from passengers using AAI airports go into for the government-owned airport's account.

The shortfall and surplus in the PSF is maintained airportwise and any shortfall is bridged by the respective airport operator. Likewise, any surplus also goes to the respective airport operator, who can only spend it on security

FDI reforms in aviation: Experts hail 'liberal' move

2016-06-21T05:39:22+00:00

NEW DELHI: Aviation experts today welcomed the government's move to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment, saying the decision would help carriers bring in much-needed cash, expand aircraft fleet and adopt best practices.

Under the new FDI norms, foreign investors, barring overseas airlines, can now have up to 100 per cent stake in local carriers, while the equity holding was has remained restricted at 49 per cent.

A more liberal FDI regime in the sector is expected to settle the much talked about issue of ownership and control at the airlines, in which foreign players have substantial stake, global consultancy KPMG India's Partner and Head for Aerospace and Defence Amber Dubey said.

"Though equity holding of foreign airlines is still limited to 49 per cent, a foreign airline can join hands with its sovereign fund or private investors and set up a 100 per cent foreign owned airline in India," he said.

He expressed hope that the government would do away with the 49 per cent restriction on ownership by a foreign airline in due course.

In the reforms announced today, the government has also permitted 100 per cent FDI in brownfield projects through automatic route. Currently, 100 per cent FDI is allowed through the automatic route in greenfield airport projects, while it is 74 per cent in brownfield ones.

The opening of FDI would help carriers bring in much needed cash, expand aircraft fleet and adopt best practices, he said, adding, "We may see its positive impact over the next 6-12 months."

"The avoidable controversies on settling 'ownership and control' issue is now over. Foreign airlines can now focus on the customers and competition rather than wasting time on legal and regulatory issues," Dubey said.

In September 2012, the then UPA government had allowed foreign airlines to invest up to 49 per cent in an Indian airline, provided substantial ownership and control (SOEC) remained with Indian nationals. The move paved the way for setting up of two new airlines - Vistara and AirAsia India - and investment by Etihad Airways in Jet Airways.

The Indian arm of the Sydney-based aviation think-tank Centre for Pacific Aviation (CAPA) while welcoming the government's decision to "liberalise" FDI regime for brownfield airports, said India needs $30- 40 billion capital to modernise airport infrastructure in next 10-15 years.

"However, more clarity must emerge and quickly to take advantage of such positive reforms," CAPA India head Kapil Kaul said.

PM Narendra Modi wants states to have more say in aviation policy

2016-06-13T05:44:16+00:00

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants states to have a significant say in the implementation of the regional air connectivity programme under the upcoming civil aviation policy. The new policy is likely to be unveiled this week. Giving states more space to decide on aviationrelated matters is a shift away from the norm that makes aviation a central subject.

"The Prime Minister's Office had asked to provide more powers to states on deciding the airports they want to launch flights from and on a few other things," said a senior ministry official, who did not want to be named. These changes have been made in the policy document that was sent to the Cabinet, this official said. The policy is expected to be cleared on Wednesday.

Under the proposed regional connectivity scheme, the government will offer a subsidy to flights that connect currently non-operational airports at a fare of Rs 2,500 per hour of flight. The civil aviation ministry has hired a consultant to prepare a detailed plan for the implementation of the scheme. Analysts welcomed the government's move to bring states on board. "Giving powers to state will only make implementation better and is a welcome step," said Amrit Pandurangi, senior director at consu ..

While most of the key proposals in the new policy have been approved by the PMO, it hasn't made any decision on a suggestion to change the way permission is granted to foreign airlines to operate flights to India. There are two views within the civil aviation ministry on the matter, with senior minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and some officials seeking auctioning of bilateral rights to bring in transparency and junior minister Mahesh Sharma opposing it as no other country does it.

"The PMO has not taken a decision on it. It has said that any decision on auctioning of bilateral rights should be left to the committee of secretaries to be headed by the Cabinet Secretary," said a senior aviation ministry official.

Why is the government taxing aviation sector punitively, asks IATA

2016-06-03T05:07:22+00:00

NEW DELHI: Global airlines' body International Air Traffic Association ( IATA ) today asked the government as to why the aviation sector was being taxed "punitively" like that of alcohol or tobacco industry , saying such fees were weakening its ability to be a force for good.

Noting that there were "nearly 2,000 government-imposed aviation taxes and charges" in its data base---of which 230 were statutory taxes imposed on tickets, IATA said "the number seems to grow with each government budget cycle, most increases are incremental, but they add up."

"It is not unusual for the net impact of government taxes and charges to reach 20 per cent or more of the cost of travel--nearly four times the airlines' average net margin. Airlines are a force for good creating jobs and spreading wealth. Why then are we taxed as punitively as the 'sins' of alcohol and tobacco?" asked IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler .

Addressing the IATA annual meet in Dublin, Tyler said, "Many governments are simply not doing the maths" and creating an environment for the aviation sector to function as any other industry, generate jobs and enhance connectivity.

Tyler maintained that reduction or abolition of most taxes would lead to "a net positive benefit for government finances, national economies and individuals", an IATA release said.

Referring to heightened regulations in the aviation sector, Tyler said, however, "not all regulations have the same galvanising clarity of focus. Passenger rights rules, for example, often seem more intent on penalising airlines than helping passengers enjoy the benefits of efficient travel."

Stressing that the regulations must stand up to rigorous cost benefits, Tyler said "as a force for good, we need smarter regulation, clearly defined rules easily implemented to solve real issues while respecting global standards. Regulation must stand up to rigorous cost-benefit analysis," Tyler said.

He also referred to aviation safety and security issues and mentioned recent incidents including those involving aircraft of EgyptAir, Malaysian Airlines and others, saying "we face real threats. Government and industry must be nimble, share information, use global standards and keep a risk-based mindset when developing counter-measures."

Civil Aviation Ministry to appoint people on deputation to AAIB

2016-05-18T05:52:05+00:00

NEW DELHI: In order to provide adequate manpower to deal with exigencies, the Civil Aviation Ministry is looking to appoint personnel on deputation to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau ( AAIB), which has now become an independent body.

The Ministry has written to the Department of Personnel and Training ( DoPT ) in this regard, a senior official said.

While the regulatory framework has been put in place for functioning of AAIB as an entity independent of aviation watchdog DGCA , the recruitment rules are yet to be finalised.

As many as 21 positions at AIIB, including the post of Director General (DG), have been notified.

According to the official, the Ministry is awaiting approval of DoPT for taking people on deputation at AAIB. Such an arrangement would help carry out the functions of the board pending finalisation of the recruitment norms which would take some more time, he added.

Discussions have been completed with DoPT on the draft recruitment rules for AAIB and the document would be put up for public comments soon.

AAIB was under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and making it an independent body was required under ICAO norms.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is a specialised agency under the United Nations which has the mandate to ensure that local civil aviation operations and regulations in different countries are in conformity with global norms.

With AAIB becoming an independent body, concerns about possible conflict of interest would be addressed.

The bureau, which was made a separate division under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in 2012, has the responsibility of investigating all major aircraft incidents and accidents in the country.

The AAIB takes the help of experts on a case-to-case basis while probing aircraft accidents.

Aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju bats for solar units at all airports

2016-05-09T05:50:28+00:00

VIZIANAGARAM: Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said he has asked all the airports in the country to install solar energy units on the lines of Kochi airport.

He was talking to reporters after showing installation of 5 KV solar energy panels at his residence here with an estimated cost of Rs 5 lakh.

Talking about the expense, the Minister said state government had given Rs 2 lakh as a subsidy for installation.

A 12 MW-capacity solar power unit has been installed at Kochi airport run by the Cochin International Airport Limited.

Similarly, solar unit has also been installed at the Delhi airport, he said, adding that he had asked other airports in the country to emulate this step.

The Minister also batted for grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh, saying the delay in granting it may cause more financial distress to the state.

Government working on proposal to invest Rs 6,000 crore on regional airports

2016-04-25T05:29:05+00:00

NEW DELHI: The aviation sector is set to get a leg up with the government working on a proposal to invest Rs 6,000 crore this fiscal year to revive and develop 75 regional airports, which currently see little activity.

The civil aviation ministry will soon send a formal proposal to the finance ministry and both have already discussed the matter at a recent meeting, a senior aviation ministry official said. "The project will be implemented by the Airports Authority of India," the official told ET, speaking on the condition of anonymity

The proposal is in line with the government's stated plan to take flying to the masses, by boosting air connectivity to small cities and towns, and subsidizing fares to such destinations.

In his budget announcement in February, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said the central government would partner with states to develop some of these airports to improve regional connectivity. "These facilities "can be revived at an indicative cost of Rs 50 crore toRs 100 crore each", he had said.

But the aviation ministry official said the government's estimate is a little low. "Even AAI (Airports Authority of India) feels that each airport cannot be revived in just Rs 100 crore and the allocation should be more."

Analysts said the government should look at the viability of an airport before investing money in reviving it.

"The government would want to provide infrastructure for air connectivity to as many points as possible, which is a laudable objective," said Sanjay Sethi, who runs Nector Consulting and was head of the infrastructure group at Kotak Investment Banking. "But at the same time, it would not make sense to develop or revive airports in areas which do not have the potential for new flights. Only those airports should be developed where there is a viability."

The proposal is in sync with the plans outlined in a draft of the aviation policy made public late last year. The government wants to fix fares on regional flights, to a maximum of Rs 2,500 for flight lasting an hour, to attract more people to fly. The rest of the cost would be met through a viability gap fund. The National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 is likely to be taken up for clearance by the Union Cabinet this week.

Indian airports received 4% more international travellers from January to March

2016-04-18T05:39:35+00:00

KOLKATA: Indian airports collectively received 4% more international travellers in January to March this year, with the leisure segment driving growth by 7%, a latest study said.

The study, conducted by GfK-ForwardKeys, said comparing the first three months of this year with the same period last year, all top ten inbound tourism markets for India witnessed strong growth. International visitors from the US, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom form the top three inbound markets for the country, accounting for 37% of the total market in the first quarter of the year.

"The ICC T20 World Cup which took place in March could have been a key driver of growth in the country's tourism in the first quarter of the year," highlighted Anant Jain, travel and hospitality industry lead, India. "There was 10% surge in tourist arrival in March this year compared to a year ago and we believe this was contributed by sports tourism to a large extent."

The four airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad together contribute to over half of all travellers' arrival in India. Current booking for the second quarter of this year showed that overseas visitors arriving at these airports are anticipated to be slower than last year, except for Bangalore, where there is already a 5% expected increase in arrivals.