Means of Transport in India
By: Manisha Joshi

Air Transport
 The fastest and most modern means of Transportation.
 Useful for transporting costly and light-weight
consignments.
 Used in spraying pesticides in agricultural fields.
 It is a very expensive means of transport.

History and Growth of
Air Transport in India
o In Asia, India was the first country to introduce
AIR SERVICES in 1914.
o However, Air Services progressed only after the
Second world war.
o Nearly 10 Air Companies were working in the
country on the eve of independence.

o In 1950, Air Transport Inquiry Committee was
established.
o On its recommendations, Air Transport was
o nationalized in 1953;
o Two corporations were established viz.
Air India and Indian Airlines.
o Now, Air Corporation Act, 1953 has been repealed and
monopoly of Air India and Indian Airlines ended.
o Now, PRIVATE AIRLINES have been allowed.

In 2011-2012,
Passengers handled at
In tenth year period (2002-2007)
 Growth in International
passengers - 13.38 % p.a.
 International Terminals – 380
lakh
 Domestic Terminals – 1060
lakh
 Growth in Domestic
passengers – 21.78 % p.a.
In 2009, India had BILATERAL Air
Service Agreements with 104
countries.

Main Airline
Services in
India

AIR INDIA
• International Air Service of India.
• It owns a fleet of 16 Aircrafts
• It has taken 20 Aircrafts on lease.
It operates 200 flights per week.
In 2005-2006, Government accorded approval
to Air India for acquiring 68 more aircrafts.

• It is the DOMESTIC Air Service of Indian
government.
• It operates at 58 domestic airports.
• In 2005-2006, it has a fleet of 73 aircrafts.
• Later, Government gave approval for
acquiring 43 Airbus aircraft.

In year 2007, both Air India and Indian Airlines have been
merged in NACIL.
In November 2010, Name of NACIL has been changed to AIR
INDIA LTD.
In 2011-2012, NACIL has
 Fleet strength – 91 aircrafts
 Carried passengers – 134.3 lakh

 One of the India’s leading Helicopter
Companies.
 Incorporated in 1985.
 It owned 42 helicopters in 2011-2012.
 Objective is to provide Helicopter services to
1) Petroleum sector
2) Inaccessible areas of the country
3) Promote Tourism.

 During 2006, it started its operations.
 It is a subsidiary of Air India to provide low
cost air services.
 Air India has leased its 7 aircrafts to Air India
Express Ltd.
 Presently, it has a fleet of 4 leased and 7
owned aircrafts.

Alliance Air
 It is a subsidiary of Air India ltd.
 It has started operations in the North-East
region of the country.

Private Airlines

 In April 1997, private airlines have been
allowed to provide Airline services in India.
owns more than
20 aircrafts
+
background of 5
years domestic
services
with Government
approval
Can provide
airline services at
International
destinations
EXCEPT Gulf
Nations.
 Private Airlines hold 69% of domestic traffic.

 Established on April 1, 1995.
 It manages 133 airports;
a) International – 17
b) domestic airports – 88
c) Civil enclaves at defence airfields - 25

 Controls and manages entire Indian air
space.
 It provides safe and efficient air traffic
services
 Constructing and maintaining runway
 Terminal buildings
 Provides air safety services
 Arranges search and rescue facilities.

Objectives and Projects
 Modernization of International airports in Delhi and Mumbai
through private sector participation.
 Development and modernization of 35 non-metro airports in
India.
 Construction of 3 more Greenfield airports of International
standards at Goa, Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram.
 Substantial up gradation of Kolkata and Chennai airports.

35 Non-Metro Airports

Air Transport and Plans
Year Plans
First
Eighth
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh
Twelfth
Amount spent on Air Transport
23.2 crore
4,083 crore (private airways companies entered
and spent 7,249 crore on it)
9,432 crore
12,928 crore
43,560 crore (for development of Civil aviation
sector)
Aim is to make India among top 5 Civil aviation
Nations

New Liberalized Policy
relating to
Air Transport

 In November 1979, OPEN SKIES POLICY was
announced.
 Allowance to Private Airlines to participate in
Air transport Services.
East-West Airlines – the first company which
launched in operations in February 1992.
But now it has closed its operations.

 In 1994, by an act Government revoked 40 year old Air Corporation
act.
- Denationalization of Air transport.
- On January 29, 1994, Air Corporation
(Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal)
Ordinance was passed.
- Objective
a) To end up monopoly of Public Sector in Domestic airline
services.
b)To allow private sector to participate in air transport.
- Under this act, Air India and Indian Airlines were recognized as
Public ltd. Cos.

 Private airlines with a fleet of at least 20 aircrafts have been allowed
to fly to International destinations.
Share sold to Private Investors
40%
Air India
60%
Indian Airlines

 International Airports in Delhi and
Mumbai have been modernized
through private sector participation.
 The Government approved the
merger of Air India and Indian
Airlines in year 2007.
- A new company, National Aviation
Company of India ltd. has been
incorporated.
- In November 2010, the name of
NACIL has been changed to AIR INDIA
LTD. with its logo ‘Maharaja’.

 Airport Economic regulatory Act 2008 has been notified from
January 1, 2009. This act provides fixation of user charges for
maintenance and development of airports.
 The Twelfth plan has targeted to provide world class
infrastructure facilities Safe, reliable, comfortable and
affordable air services so as to encourage growth in air
passengers and air cargo traffic.