Issue 14 • July-September, 2020 (Q2) AAI celebrates 74th Independence Day with precautions amid COVID-19 appreciated the efforts of entire AAI family, especially the Corona Warriors who worked round the clock during the difficult time and, still striving to bring AAI back on track after prolonged lockdown effects. This year, in view of the ongoing pandemic, the celebration was performed in a subdued manner as per guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs The Airports Authority of India celebrated with minimum gathering maintaining all the 74th Independence Day with great COVID-19 protocols. The programme was patriotic fervour. The celebration began webcasted live for employees owing to the conservation. AAI Airports across the with the flag hoisting ceremony by Shri restrictions on mass gathering. country also celebrated the National Day Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI at the New On the eve of Independence Day, the with hoisting of the tricolour and expressing ATS Complex in the presence of Board premises of the Air Traffic Control complex gratitude towards frontline warriors for Members and senior officials of AAI. in New Delhi shined bright with the their dedication and tireless efforts during In his address, the Chairman spoke about tricolour. On the occasion, saplings were COVID-19 pandemic risking their lives the efficiency with which the AAI has also planted in the premises of NATS for the hassle free and safe movement of delivered its duties during the pandemic. He complex to send a message of environment passengers and special flights. 1 AAI Airports moving ahead on the road to recovery Brighter days ahead Standing tall against the pandemic, AAI Airports across all regions have also played On 01st September, 20, Chennai Airport Airports have been tirelessly striving instrumental role in bringing back lakhs completed 100 days of domestic operations to transport people and cargo across of Indians stranded abroad under Vande post resumption on 25th May, 20. Amidst the country and continents. Effective Bharat Mission while ensuring all safety and Extensive implementation of safety the COVID 19 pandemic situation around, measures like proper sanitization of touch the airport facilitated 2,62,640 arriving standards have enabled the steady increase points and disinfection of luggage in place in fight operations passengers (2979 aircraft movements) and for every flight movement. More than 18 2,98,359 departing passengers (2981 aircraft In a span of four months, over 109 lakh lakh stranded people returned and flown th movements) during this period abiding by passengers chose to fly through our airports out the country 6 May, 2020. the safety protocols. With passenger and located pan India. More than 1.22 lakh flights took to the skies, making domestic connectivity The unshakable commitment of Indian Civil aircraft count keeps increasing every day, soar high. The sincere service of our airports Aviation Sector has made air operations these are positive signs to cling on to, when have successfully instilled the confidence and bounced back even in such challenging the whole of aviation is striving hard to be trust in passengers to fly more. times. back to the pre-COVID scenario. Flights Operations at Amritsar Airport Amritsar Airport rendered its services throughout the Lockdown Brief details of the flights and passengers’ movements period. The airport was ready to cater to the evacuation, repatriation Sl. No. Flights No. of Flights Passengers and special flights. Post resumption of flight operations, the airport handled domestic and international flights (under Vande Bharat 1 International Repatriation Flights 190 62081 Mission and special flights by British and Canadian Government 2 Vande Bharat Mission Flights 105 14177 to evacuate their citizens from Punjab). The efforts have been appreciated by passengers, state government and particularly the 3 Domestic Flights 670 114284 British and Canadian Embassies in India. *Data till 29th September, 2020 Increase in Tariff of Airport Services With dedicated efforts of Tariff cell at CHQ, Ministry of Civil respectively. MoCA has also approved Air Navigation Charges Aviation has approved an increase of 10% & 5% increase in Tariff (RNFC, Overflying & TNLC) with an increase of 4% & 3.5% for of Airport Services (Landing, Parking, User Development Fees, International & Domestic respectively from 1st October, 2020 to Extension of Watch Hours) on year on year basis w.e.f. 1st October, 31st March, 2025 and similar increase from 01st April, 2025 to 31st 2020 to 31st March, 2025 for Cluster 1 & 2 Non major airports March, 2030 for all airports in India." 2 Surat Airport gets Rapid Antigen Test Facility Disinfection box at Indore Airport A Rapid Antigen Test facility To limit the risk of infection, has been created for the Indore Airport has installed domestic passengers arriving the luggage disinfection box at the Surat airport. The for passengers departing from facility is being operated the airport. This box uses UV by medical team of Surat Light Technology for complete Municipal Corporation (SMC). Those passengers sanitization of passenger who were found suspected luggage including Mobile, of COVID-19 during the Laptops etc. This is being health screening by the SMC done in addition to fogging the staff are being provided with passenger’s bag with sodium the antigen testing facility on hypochlorite, to curb the chargeable basis. spread of COVID -19. Hindon Airport gets new Sustainable Management of Waste PET Bottle Shredder residential areas in INS Hansa. Over 6000 personnel and families of Indian Navy reside in the Varunapuri area located in the close vicinity of the airport and generate approximately 1000 Kg wet waste. Vehicle washing waste water plant has also been Goa Airport commissioned two organic operationalised at the airport for treatment waste Converters at Defence Land of waste water generated by INS Hansa Varunapuri, which helps in disposal and vehicle washing center in an eco-friendly composting of wet waste generated from manner. Adopting an eco-friendly initiative, Rapid Testing centers at Hindon airport has installed a plastic bottle Agartala Airport shredder machine to address the plastic In a major relief to the AAI employees, waste generated inside the terminal. With staff and aviation stakeholders especially capacity of shredding 15kg in an hour, this passengers, COVID-19 testing center was machine is placed in Security Hold Area recently set up at the Agartala Airport. for convenience of passenger travelling The center was later shifted from the through the airport. Costing around airport terminal to outside for ease Rs. 72,000/-, this initiative has been of convenience of the passengers. garnering appreciation from all stake- Airport Authorities thanked the district holders. administration for this support. 3 New Experiment to avoid Sip of Immunity at airports Bird Hit Incidents To prevent incidents of birds accidentally The pandemic has changed the food and to improve their immunity.Passengers are hitting a flight, a unique effort has been beverages menu options at airports with now opting for ‘immunity boosters’ in place started at Indore Airport. Under this, a team outlets and staff serving immunity boosters of other food and beverages options and of airport officials and staff, while inspecting to passengers. The Earth Lounge at Pune appreciating this initiative taken by airports the grass land adjacent to the runway made Airport has been offering immunity booster with a gesture of care. noises and smashed sticks on the ground drinks Kadha, turmeric milk and rasam to so that birds do not make their nest there. passengers. Passengers with access to the Similarly, “Medicated Tea / Kaada” service They prefer a place away from humans lounge can enjoy these drinks blended with was also initiated by Goa Airport jointly and with lesser or no noise. Thus, the new rich & healthy ingredients. Tuticorin Airport with CISF on No Profit No Loss basis, as experiment will help to reduce the incidents in association with Govt. Siddha Medical an endeavor to boost the immunity and of birds colliding with planes. College is also offering 'KabasuraKudineer,' morale of Frontline Corona warriors a health drink to all passengers, in an effort working at the airport. District Administration appreciates Rupsi Airport Tirupati Airport ensures safe travel Tirupati Airport is committed towards With thousands of passengers commuting in maintaining the hygiene standards by and out of the Airport, to provide the safety making the common areas of the terminal to the passengers and employees, Tirupati building germs - free. Due to consistent Airport is taking steps ensuring highest movement of passengers, areas such as standards of hygiene and cleanliness by Security Hold, Restrooms, Transfer points, maintaining the frequency of sanitization, etc. need ceaseless sanitization. using sprayers and Nano Steam Guns. New Guest House at Agartala Airport Committed for the welfare of staff and guests, MBB Airport, On Independence-Day, 2020, Rupsi Airport th commended with a certificate of appreciation Agartala on 25 August, 20 inaugurated a separate guest house from District Commissioner of Kokrajhar for incoming staff on transfer/tour who are required to undergo for its CSR activities & contribution in 14 days’ mandatory quarantine period as per the protocol of state developing social infra in the lower Assam government. The much awaited facility was finally set up and area and adjoining districts. inaugurated