Air Transport Infrastructure

Air Cargo Export-Import Players:

This section was discussed earlier in the introductory stages.

Air Transport Infrastructure

Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based controllers

who

direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace and can provide advisory
services to aircraft in non-controlled airspace.
The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the
flow of traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots.
In some countries, ATC plays a security or defensive role, or is operated by the military.
To prevent collisions, ATC enforces traffic separation rules, which ensure each aircraft
maintains a minimum amount of empty space around it at all times. Many aircraft also

have collision avoidance systems, which provide additional safety by warning pilots when
other aircraft get too close.

In many countries, ATC provides services to all private, military, and commercial aircraft
operating within its airspace. Depending on the type of flight and the class of airspace, ATC
may issue instructions that pilots are required to obey, or advisories that pilots may, at their
discretion, disregard. The pilot in command is the final authority for the safe operation of
the aircraft and may, in an emergency, deviate from ATC instructions to the extent required
to maintain safe operation of their aircraft.
Ground Control: is responsible for the airport "movement" areas, as well as areas not
released to the airlines or other users. This generally includes all taxiways, inactive runways,
holding areas, and intersections where aircraft arrive, having vacated the runway or
departure gate.
Exact areas and control responsibilities are clearly defined in local documents and
agreements at each airport. Any aircraft, vehicle, or person walking or working in these
areas is required to have clearance from Ground Control. This is normally done via VHF/UHF
radio, but there may be special cases where other procedures are used.
Aircraft without radios must respond to ATC instructions via aviation light signals or else
be led by vehicles with radios. People working on the airport surface normally have a
communications link through which they can communicate with Ground Control, commonly
either by handheld radio or even cell phone. Ground Control is vital to the smooth
operation of the airport, because this position impacts the sequencing of departure aircraft,
affecting the safety and efficiency of the airport's operation.
Some busier airports have Surface Movement Radar (SMR), designed to display aircraft and
vehicles on the ground. These are used by Ground Control as an additional tool to control
ground traffic, particularly at night or in poor visibility. There are a wide range of capabilities
on these systems as they are being modernized. Newer systems include the capability to
display higher quality mapping, radar target, data blocks, and safety alerts, and to interface
with other systems such as digital flight strips.

Ground Transportation:
Many small and mid-size airports have a single two or three-lane one-way loop road which
is used by local private vehicles and buses to drop off and pick up passengers. An
international airport may have two separated one-way loop roads, one for departures and
one for arrivals. It may have a direct rail connection by regional rail, light rail, or
subway to the downtown or central business district of the closest major city.
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The largest airports may have direct connections to the closest freeway /highway. There
will be car rental agencies and taxi companies operating around the terminals. The Hong
Kong International Airport has ferry piers on the airside to connect with ferry piers.
An airport

terminal is

a building at an airport where passengers transfer between

ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from
aircraft. Within the terminal, passengers purchase tickets, transfer their luggage, and go
through security. The buildings that provide access to the airplanes (via gates) are typically
called
Smaller airports have one terminal while larger airports have several terminals with many
gates. At small airports, the single terminal building typically serves all of the functions of a
terminal.

Airport check-in uses service counters found at commercial airports

handling
commercial air travel. The check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling
agent working on behalf of an airline. Passengers usually hand over any baggage that
they do not wish or are not allowed to carry on to the aircarft's cabin and receive a
boarding pass before they can proceed to board their aircraft.
Check-in is usually the first procedure for a passenger when arriving at an airport, as airline
regulations require passengers to check in by certain times prior to the departure of a flight.
This duration spans from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on the destination and airline.
The airline check-in's main function, however, is to accept luggage that is to go in the
aircraft's cargo hold and issue boarding passes. For international travel, visa procedures
/approvals and compliances are also checked.

An airport

lounge is a

hospitality facility operated at many airports. Airport lounges

offer, for selected passengers, comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal, such
as more comfortable seating, quieter environments, and often better access to customer
service representatives. Other facilities may include private meeting rooms, telephones,
wireless internet access, and other business services, along with provisions to enhance
passenger comfort, such as free drinks and snacks.

A baggage

claim area is an area where arriving passengers claim checked-in baggage

after disembarking from a flight. A typical baggage claim area contains baggage conveyor
systems that deliver checked baggage to the passenger. The baggage claim area generally
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contains the airline's customer service counter for claiming oversized baggage or to report
missing baggage.
Some airports require that passengers display their baggage check receipt so that it can
be positively matched against the bag they are trying to remove from baggage claim. This
serves two purposes: first it reduces baggage theft, and secondly it helps to prevent
passengers from accidentally leaving the airport with another passenger's bag that bears
resemblance to their own.
For international arrivals, the baggage claim area is typically located in a restricted zone,
after immigration control and before clearing customs, so that all baggage can be
inspected by customs agents, but the passenger does not have to handle heavy baggage
while moving through the passport booth. In the US and Canada and also in some airports
in Asia, all arriving international passengers' baggage is claimed here and can be resurrendered to the airline for connecting flights on the other side of customs (for
connection from international to domestic flights in most countries, all passengers must
claim their baggage). In most other countries passengers transferring to an onward flight do
not need to collect their bags unless their airline does not offer to check their bags to their
final destination.

Aerobridge or skybridge is an enclosed, movable connector which extends from an

airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board and disembark without
going outside. A telescoping corridor that extends from an airport terminal to an aircraft
and allows secure boarding and disembarkation of passengers.

A hangar is a closed building structure to house aircrafts or spacecraft in protective

storage. Hangars are used for protection from the weather, from direct sunlight during
maintenance, repair, manufacture, assembly and storage of aircraft on airfields and aircraft
carriers.
Many ships - particularly warships - carry aircraft aboard and will often have hangars for
storage and maintenance. Such hangars may be situated adjacent to the flight deck.

Civil aviation is

one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military

aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and work together to establish
common standards and recommended practices for civil aviation through that agency.

Civil aviation includes two major categories:

Scheduled air transport including all passenger and cargo flights operating on
regularly scheduled routes; and

General Aviation(GA), including all other civil flights, private or commercial

Although scheduled air transport is the larger operation in terms of passenger numbers, GA
is larger in the number of flights.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

is a specialized

agency of the UN.

It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the
planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly
growth. Its headquarters are located in Montreal, Canada
The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation,
its infrastructure, flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of
border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation. ICAO defines the protocols for
air accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to
the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
ICAO is distinct from the IATA, a trade association representing 240 of the worlds airlines.
IATA is a trade associations representing specific aviation interests, whereas ICAO is a body
of the UN.

Airports Authority of India (AAI):

The Government of India constituted the International Airports Authority of India (IAAI) in
1972 to manage the nation's international airports while the National Airports Authority
(NAA) was constituted in 1986 to look after domestic airports. The organisations were
merged in April 1995 by an Act of Parliament and was named as Airports Authority of India
(AAI). This new organisation is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and
managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and air space in the country.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for
creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India. It
provides Air traffic management (ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic
areas. It also manages a total of 125 Airports, including 18 International Airports, 78
Domestic Airports and 26 Civil Enclaves at Military Airfields.

Functions of AAI:
Design, Development, Operation and Maintenance of international and domestic
airports and civil enclaves.
Control and Management of the Indian airspace extending beyond the territorial
limits of the country, as accepted by ICAO.
Construction, Modification and Management of passenger terminals.
Development and Management of cargo terminals at international and domestic
airports.
Provision of passenger facilities and information system at the passenger terminals
at airports.
Expansion and strengthening of operation area, viz. Runways, Taxiway etc.
Provision of visual aids.
Provision of Communication and Navigation aids

Civil Enclave:
ATC at civil enclaves is usually entrusted to the armed forces or it may be a joint civilianmilitary crew. It is generally accepted that the military receives revenues from civil use of
ATC services if they own and operate them in some countries. One example in India is Goa
International Airport at at Dabolim. Old Cochin airport in Willingdon Island.
In Singapore, while not officially referred to as such, Changi Air Base is effectively a military
enclave of SingaporeChangi Airport, the main international airport of Singapore, and shares
its runway facilities.

Aircraft Types :
Helicopters:

An aircraft in the Helicopter segment is one of the most convenient and

timesaving ways to transfer between the city and airport, alternatively an easy way to reach
remote destinations and used for assistance in disaster situations. Aircraft capacity
ranging from 1 to 18 passengers.

Twin Piston:

Aircraft in the Twin Piston segment are economical aircraft suitable for

short distance flights. Aircraft capacity ranging from 3 to 8 passengers.

Turboprops: Aircraft in the Turboprop segment are a wide range of aircraft suitable for
short and medium distance flights with a duration of up to 2-4 hours. Aircraft capacity
ranging from 4 to 70 passengers.

Executive Jets: Aircraft in the Executive Jet segment are the most time efficient way of
travel, suitable for medium or long distance flights. Business executives worldwide think of a
business jet as a way to gain a competitive edge and expand their business horizons. Aircraft
capacity ranging from 4 to 16 passengers.

Airliners:

Aircraft in the Airliner segment are large jet aircraft suitable for carrying

passengers for domestic and international air travel. Aircraft capacity ranging from 50
to 400 passengers.

Cargo Aircraft: Aircraft in the Cargo segment are a wide range of aircrafts

suitable for

all kinds of cargo flights, short-, medium- and long-haul. Aircraft with capacities ranging
from smaller aircraft performing short notice flights carrying vital spare parts up to large
cargo aircraft able to transport volumnious goods

Major Aircraft Manufacturers:

There are five major manufacturers of civil transport aircraft these include:
Airbus
Boeing
Bombardier (Canada)
Embraer (Brazil)
Tupoloev (Russia)
In order to make an aircraft, the manufacturers have to source a number of different and
unique parts. There are a large network of specialized parts suppliers throughout the
world that support the requirements of these manufacturers.

Airbus is one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers fulfilling about half or more of
the orders for airliners with more than 100 seats.
Airbus is based in Europe with its headquarters in Toulouse, France and has 12 sites in
Europe located in France, Germany, Spain and UK. Airbus also has three subsidiaries in the
USA, Japan and China. They employ about 52,000 people from 85 nationalities . Airbus
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currently have a product line-up of 14 jet aircraft types which range from 100 to 525 seats.
Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner.
Boeing is one of the other main aerospace companies and are the largest manufacturer of
commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. The Boeing Company was founded in
Seattle in 1916 by William Boeing. Boeing also design and manufactures electronic and
defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and
communication systems. The main commercial product that Boeing manufacturers are the
737, 747, 767 and 777 families of airplanes and the Boeing Business Jet.

Indian Aviation Sector:

9th largest civil aviation market.
163 Million passengers in 2013.
60 Million international passengers by 2017.
85 international airlines connecting over 40 countries.
3rd largest aviation market by 2020.
800 aircraft by 2020.

Indian Aviation Sector Growth Drivers:

Five international airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Bengaluru) have been
completed successfully under PPP mode.
Greenfield airport at Navi Mumbai, Mopa (Goa) and some brownfield airports of
Airports Authority of India (AAI) and 50 airports under the low cost model are to be
developed all over the country, including under PPP.
Indian aviation is experiencing dramatic growth across the board, from the
emergence of LCC/new carriers to a growing middle class ready to travel by air as
well as growth in business and leisure travel.
Indias middle income population is expected to increase from 160 Million in 2011 to
267 Million by 2016.
Greater focus on infrastructure development; increasing liberalisation Open Sky
Policy; AAI driving modernisation of airports, Air and Navigation Systems.

 Growth in aviation accentuating demand for MRO (maintenance, repair and

overhaul) facilities.
Large scale collaborations/M&A deals Etihad Airways & Jet Airways; Tata Group &
Singapore Airlines, Tata Group & AirAsia.
India plans to increase the number of operational airports to 250 by the year 2030.
Indian Aviation Sector Investment Opportunities:
300 business jets, 300 small aircraft and 250 helicopters are expected to be added to
the current fleet in the next 5 years.
Growth in aviation is accentuating demand for MRO facilities.
Greenfield airports under Public Private Partnership at Navi Mumbai and Mopa
(Goa).
The development of new airports the Airports Authority of India aims to bring
around 250 airports under operation across the country by 2020.
The North-east region the Airports Authority of India plans to develop Guwahati as
an inter-regional hub and Agartala, Imphal and Dibrugarh as intra-regional hubs.
The Airports Authority of India plans to spend USD 1.3 Billion on non-metro projects
between 2013 and 2017, focusing on the modernisation and upgrade of airports.
Indian airports are emulating the SEZ Aerotropolis model to enhance revenues, focus
on revenues from retail, advertising and vehicle parking, security equipment and
services.
Indian Aviation Sector Agencies :
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Directorate General of Civil Aviation
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India
Air India Limited

Pawan Hans Limited

Airport Authority of India

Note to Students:
All students have been advised to diligently attend the classes,
participate in the class-room interactions, and make notes
during the class room discussions. Students are further
advised to supplement class-room sessions by studying
referred text-books, using library facilities and relevant
websites in addition to this notes

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