New Business Initiatives
AIBM
January-March 2017
Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju at AAI exhibition stall at the ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, Canada
The Airports Authority of India is preparing to take flights beyond national borders to upscale its revenues. The authority’s business development unit is exploring and developing possibilities in non-aeronautical sectors.
A Mini Ratna Public Sector enterprise of the Government of India, the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) has been delivering its services in the Indian air space with aplomb. It has been working in the national sphere, providing better business management and communication at Indian airports under its custody.
It has been controlling and managing Indian air space, providing communication, navigational and surveillance aid, expanding and strengthening operational areas like runways, aprons, taxiways etc., and has also been designing, developing, operating and maintaining passenger and cargo terminals at international and domestic airports in India.
But now, the AAI is looking beyond national boundaries and interests and is undertaking newer business initiatives. By way of providing consultancy, construction, management services and undertaking operations abroad in relation to airports, air-navigation services, ground aids and safety services, the AAI is looking at plying its services beyond national borders.
The authority is venturing into unexplored business territories with an aim to generate more and better business opportunities. To maximise and enhance the non-aeronautical revenues for the AAI and also to create innovative business opportunities, the management of the AAI has formed the Business Development Unit.
With this the authority is looking to develop, research and analyse and also to explore the possibilities of taking up airport consultancy, development and operations and management assignments in domestic as well as international markets. The authority is planning the execution through participation in global bidding and through negotiations with the international airport operators or agencies.
As a first step towards the creation of a business of varied nature, last year the Airports Authority of India participated in various exhibitions across the globe and exhibited its efficiency in the aviation sector for various services which the authority is capable of delivering; it has cutting edge flight calibration services, No Objection Certificate Application System (NOCAS) for height clearance, GAGAN, consultancy in ATFM and flight procedure design.
Furthermore, in line with the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, (RCS) the business development unit would look to explore the opportunities to have partnerships with state and local governments.
It will develop the airports at the unconnected destinations through the SPV route and also have a model to link the development of air infrastructure with the inherent tourism or other economic potential. Such developments could have a multiplier effect on the local economy taking into consideration that air travel for these locations will be required to be made affordable for sustenance of this sector.
In addition, aligning with the specific mission of business development – ‘Expanding Vision, Connecting World’ – the AAI, along with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is offering a comprehensive e-business solution for data gathering, invoicing and realisation.
The AAI also showcased SkyRev360 in the 39th Triennial ICAO General Assembly held from September 25 to October 5 , 2016, at the ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, Canada wherein the information paper on the policies for adoption and implementation of SkyRev360 was presented as well as appreciated by the Minister of Civil Aviation while inaugurating the exhibition stall of AAI.
