India: Govt turns down airlines' demand for alternative airports in major cities

Facing opposition from private airport operators and after doing a cost-benefit analysis, the govt has turned down airlines’ demand for alternative airports in major cities. Airlines had asked the govt to open alternative airports, including reopening old airports, citing a shortage of slots and overnight parking bays at major airports. They had suggested using smaller nearby airports as alternatives beyond watch hours. “The govt pondered over the demand. We did a cost-benefit analysis study and found that most alternative airports suggested by the airlines lacked basic infrastructure for flight operations,” said a senior govt official. Airlines had argued opening alternative airports would be beneficial for them because those could be used for overnight parking stands and expanding their networks. <br/>