CHENNAI, Jan 31:
Vice-President Hamid Ansari today said The Chennai Airport has attained greater importance in view of India’s ‘Look East’ Policy due to which greater economic and commercial integration with East Asian and South East Asian nations were taking place at a rapid pace.
Dedicating to the nation the newly-built International and Domestic terminals and upgraded airside facilities at the Airport here, Dr Ansari said Chennai Airport was the premier international gateway and air hub for South India, besides being the third busiest airport in the country.
Noting that the importance of Chennai as a national and international destination was well established, he said it had attained greater importance in view of India’s ‘Look East’ Policy.
Consequently, passenger and freight traffic to and from East Asian and South East Asian countries was bound to rise in times to come.
“With Chennai being the natural gateway due to geographical proximity, the upgrade and modernisation of the airport is a timely and appropriate initiative,” he added.
Noting that Civil Aviation makes a vital contribution in integrating the country with the rest of the world, Dr Ansari said better air services help to improve the competitiveness of industry and exports.
“By expanding the size of the market, aviation acts as a spur for innovation, increases sales and profits, allows greater scope for exploitation of economies of scales and thereby enhances competition by offering efficient and fast mode of transportation,” he added.
Air transport in India has witnessed unprecedented growth in the recent past.
“During the last 10 Years, compounded annual growth rate of passenger traffic has been approximately 15 per cent. This massive growth in air traffic requires huge investment for construction of new airports, expansion and modernisation of existing airports and improvement in connecting infrastructure,” he said.
Observing that the Union government has given in principle approval for development of 15 greenfield airports, he said the Airports Authority of India was also upgrading and modernising 35 non-metro airports in the country.
“These steps will definitely help in providing better facilities and connectivity to the citizens in coming decades,” he added. (UNI)
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