Airport News: Airport in News Latest Current Affairs 2024

Airport Current Affairs January to December 2024

Welcome to the latest update on airport-related current affairs for the year 2024. This post covers the topic “Airport in News” in which we listed the most important one-liners about recent developments in the aviation industry.

October-November 2024

• Airbus inaugurated its new India and South Asia Headquarters and Training Centre at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

• Air India Limited became the first-ever Indian airline to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from DGCA for in-house aircraft interior modifications.

• Air India announced plans to set up a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) for an integrated aircraft maintenance engineering programme, operational by mid-2026.

• The Prime Minister inaugurated Solapur Airport in Maharashtra, enhancing connectivity for tourists, business travelers, and investors.

• Union Minister George Kurian recently inaugurated the Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) at Cochin International Airport (CIAL), Kochi.

• Pavana Chitra, India’s first self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at an airport, was recently unveiled at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

• The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple airport development projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, worth over Rs. 6,100 crore.

September 2024

• Aviio Application Launch: Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) has launched the app ‘Aviio’ to enhance the future airport ecosystem by providing real-time information like waiting times, gate changes, and baggage updates.

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) Rank: IGIA, New Delhi, is ranked 24th in the 2024 Megahubs report, released by UK-based air consultancy firm Official Airline Guide (OAG).

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Rank: Mumbai’s airport, CSMIA, is ranked 44th in the same report, dropping from 34th in 2023.

• Top 5 Global Airports:

1. London Heathrow Airport (UK)
2. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Malaysia)
3. Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (Japan)
4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands)
5. Incheon Airport (South Korea)

• Most Connected Airport in Asia-Pacific: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) moved up to 2nd place in 2024, with AirAsia operating 35% of its flights.

India-Specific Insights:

• IndiGo is the dominant carrier at both Delhi and Mumbai airports.

• Delhi Airport registers 21,781 flight connections, while Mumbai Airport has 12,849.

• Delhi and Mumbai airports are ranked in the top 10 LCC Airports Megahub category: Delhi Airport ranks 5th and Mumbai Airport ranks 11th.

• Pune Airport Renaming: The Maharashtra government has approved renaming Pune Airport after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj.

August 2024

• Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, introduced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, will replace the Aircraft Act, 1934.

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the development of a New Civil Enclave at Bagdogra Airport, West Bengal, with an estimated cost of Rs. 1549 crore.

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi, has become the first airport in India to achieve the status of Net Zero Carbon Emission (Level 5 certification).

• Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru, has become the first airport in Asia to receive ACI’s highest Level 5 accreditation.

July 2024

• Delhi International Airport has launched India’s first self-service mechanism for passengers to quickly check-in with luggage.

• The Union Cabinet has approved AAI’s proposal for the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, with a financial outlay of Rs. 2869.65 crore.

• Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced plans to build a new international airport at Hosur with a capacity to handle 3 crore passengers per year.

• Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh will be named after the warrior queen Rani Durgavati.

June 2024

• Delhi International Airport has recently launched India’s first self-service mechanism for passengers to quickly check in with luggage, making the check-in process more efficient and convenient.

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal for the development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This project has been approved with a total financial outlay of Rs. 2869.65 crore.

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced plans to build a new international airport at Hosur, which will have the capacity to handle 3 crore passengers per year.

• The Jabalpur airport in Madhya Pradesh will be named after the renowned warrior queen Rani Durgavati, as per a recent announcement.

May 2024

• The world’s largest airport terminal is being built in Dubai.

• Thiruvananthapuram International Airport made history as the first airport in India to achieve prestigious recognition of zero waste to landfill (ZWL).

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi won the silver award under the ‘over 35 million passengers per annum category’ in the ‘Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East’ Green Airports Recognition (GAR) 2024.

April 2024

• Air India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have signed a pact to develop Bengaluru Airport as an aviation hub.

• According to recent information shared by Airports Council International (ACI) World, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA, is the world’s busiest airport.

• GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) has been honored with the ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award by Skytrax.

• Hamad International Airport, Qatar, has been named the World’s Best Airport in 2024 in the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

✅ Read Also: Recently Changed Names: Explore the Latest Renaming Trends

March 2024

• The Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) center has been set up at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This center aims to upgrade and enhance Research and Development (R&D) activities in the civil aviation sector.

• A new double-lane road has been constructed to provide connectivity from Donyi-Polo Airport to Naharlagun Railway Station, improving access and transportation efficiency between these two crucial points.

2024 Air Transport Awards

ATN stands for Aeronautical Telecommunication Network

• ATN Individual Award: Serkan Kaptan, TAV Airports
• ATN Corporate Award: Bordeaux Airport

• ATN International Organisation Award: ASA – Airport Services Association
• Alliance of the Year: SkyTeam

• Manufacturer of the Year: Embraer
• Airport of the Year: iGA Istanbul Airport

• Airline of the Year: IndiGo
• Hermes Award: Henrik Hololei, European Commission

• “Katerina & George Iatrou” Lifetime Achievement Award: Nicholas E. Calio, President and CEO, A4A

• Leader of the Year: Dr. Eng. David Ciceo, CEO, Cluj International Airport

✅ Read Also: List of GI Tag Products in India Complete Details with MCQs

February 2024

• The Government of India has declared Surat Airport in Gujarat as an ‘International Airport.’ It is developed and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

• The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has granted in-principle approval for the installation of the statue of Adiyogi Shiva near the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. The total height of the statue will be 242 feet.

• Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has recently signed an MoU with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for setting up a green hydrogen plant on the premises of Cochin Airport.

• The foundation stone for the new terminal building at Jammu Airport has been laid. The new terminal will be spread over an area of 40,000 square meters and will be equipped with modern facilities, catering to about 2,000 passengers during peak hours.

✅ Read Also: National Parks & Other Special Purpose Parks in News

January 2024

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad has secured the 2nd rank in the global airports as well as large airports categories in 2023, according to the recent report by Cirium, based on operational performance and punctuality.

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to declare Ayodhya Airport as an International Airport, naming it “Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham.” This name pays homage to Maharishi Valmiki, the sage who composed the epic Ramayana.

• Wings India 2024 will be held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. The theme for the event is “Connecting India to the World in Amrit Kaal: Setting the Stage for Indian Civil Aviation @2047.”

• Malkangiri Airport has recently been inaugurated in the state of Odisha.

• President Smt Droupadi Murmu interacted with the members of Self-Help Groups at Baljek Airport in Meghalaya.

Wings India Awards 2024:

• The Lifetime Achievement Award for ‘Distinguished Women in Aviation’ was given to Tulsi N Mirchandaney, former MD of Blue Dart.

• Airport of the Year (Joint Awards) went to Bangalore International Airport Limited and Delhi International Airport Limited.

• Airline of the Year was awarded to Vistara-Tata SIA Airlines Limited (Vistara).

Airport in News Latest Current Affairs 2023

December 2023

• The Gujarat government has signed an MoU with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop 11 greenfield airports. These airports include Ankleshwar, Morbi, Rajpipla, Botad, Dwarka, Dhordo, Rajula, Dahod, Ambaji, Dholavira, and Palitana.

• Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has launched the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program in India for travelers with non-visible disabilities.

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal to declare Surat Airport as an international airport.

• The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued the aerodrome license to the Ayodhya International Airport, developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

• Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, has been awarded the “World Special Prize for an Interior 2023” by UNESCO’s Prix Versailles.

• PM Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated the International Airport in Ayodhya, named after Maharishi Valmiki.

November 2023

• Recently, L&T Construction won the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) order for the Bhogapuram International Airport, which is being constructed in Andhra Pradesh.

• Recently, Deoghar Airport in Jharkhand became the first airport in the country to land commercial aircraft with low visibility of just 3200 meters.

October 2023

• IATA has allotted the three-letter code ‘DXN’ for the upcoming Jewar International Airport in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

• Bangalore International Airport Limited has established South Asia’s first Aircraft Recovery Training School (ARTS).

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai has become the first airport in Asia to commission a “Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit” (DARK).

• Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka has secured the top position as the world’s most punctual airport for the past three consecutive months.

September 2023

• Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has inaugurated Utkela Airport in Odisha.

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated ‘Udaan Bhawan’ and an e-wallet (Bharatkosh Advance Deposit) facility at Safdarjung Airport in Delhi.

• Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia has inaugurated the newly developed infrastructure of Tezu Airport, Which is located in Arunachal Pradesh.

• The Airport Authority of India has inducted two new B-360 aircraft with advanced state-of-the-art Flight Inspection systems into its Flight Inspection Unit (FIU) Fleet to calibrate ground navigation and landing aids.

August 2023

• McDonald’s India has opened the first airport drive-thru restaurant in India in Mumbai. It is located near Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the first McDonald’s restaurant in Mumbai to be open 24×7.

• Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport became the first airport in the northeast to receive a Digi Yatra facility.

June-July 2023

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an aerodrome license for the Naini Saini Airport in Uttarakhand.

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi became the first airport in the country to have four runways and an elevated taxiway.

• PM Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated the new integrated terminal building of the Veer Savarkar International Airport in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• PM Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated Gujarat’s first greenfield airport in Rajkot district.

May 2023

• Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (LBSI) in Varanasi has become the first airport in India to offer a reading lounge for passengers.

• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad was ranked the most punctual airport in the world in March 2023 by aviation analytics firm Cirium.

April 2023

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has recently been ranked as the ninth busiest airport in the world by Airports Council International (ACI).

• The foundation for the Greenfield Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to be laid soon.

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March 2023

• Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi has been ranked among the cleanest airports in Asia-Pacific by the Airport Council International (ACI).

• Biju Patnaik’s renovated Douglas DC-3 ‘Dakota aircraft has been unveiled for public viewing at the Bhubaneswar airport.

• Changi Airport, Singapore, has been named the “world’s best airport” in Skytrax’s World Airport Awards 2023.

● Skytrax World’s Top 10 Airports for 2023

1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Hamad International Airport
3. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
4. Incheon International Airport
5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
6. Istanbul Airport
7. Munich Airport
8. Zurich Airport
9. Narita International Airport
10. Madrid-Barajas Airport

• Renaatus Projects (Chennai) has won a USD 29 million (₹238 crore) contract to expand and upgrade the infrastructure of Gan International Airport in the Maldives.

February 2023

• Recently, PVR Cinemas launched the Aerohub multiplex, “India’s first multiplex in an airport complex” in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia laid the foundation stone of Rewa Airport in Madhya Pradesh.

• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivmogga airport in Karnataka.

January 2023

• Recently, “Pokhara Regional International Airport” was inaugurated in Nepal.

• The Manohar International Airport at Mopa, in Goa, has recently commenced commercial operations.

• Recently, Manohar International Airport, Mopa, Goa has been awarded the “Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport” award under Aviation Sustainability and Environment at the ASSOCHAM 14th International Conference for Civil Aviation 2023.

• The groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the Maldives was held on January 18, 2023.

• Two Indian airports ranked among the top 10 best-performing airports in the world in 2022, according to a recent report by Cirium Aviation Analytics.

Top 10 Airports, According to Cirium

Kempegowda International Airport Rankings

Here are the latest rankings of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) across various categories:

On-Time Performance (October Report)

• World’s Most Punctual Airport for 3 consecutive months: According to Cirium’s On-Time Performance Monthly Report, KIA maintained an on-time departure punctuality of 87.51% in July, 89.66% in August, and 88.51% in September 2023. This ranks KIA as the most punctual airport globally for this period.

• Ranked 2nd in Asia for On-Time Performance: In OAG’s Punctuality League 2023 for Asia, KIA secured the 2nd position with an overall on-time performance of 90.12%.

Passenger Traffic

• 29th Busiest Airport in Asia: As per ACI World’s Airport Traffic Statistics, KIA ranked 29th in Asia by passenger traffic in 2022, handling over 33.3 million passengers.

• 3rd Busiest Airport in India: In India, KIA remained the 3rd busiest airport after Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, handling approximately 34 million passengers in 2022.

Skytrax Ranking

• 4-Star Regional Airport: KIA has been certified as a 4-Star Regional Airport by Skytrax for 2023. This rating recognizes the airport’s high standards in facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food & beverages, staff service, and security/immigration.

Cargo

• 10th Busiest Cargo Airport in India: KIA ranked 10th in India by cargo volume in 2022, handling over 444,000 metric tons of cargo.

Other Rankings

• KIA has also been recognized for its environmental sustainability initiatives, receiving the Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 3+ from ACI Europe.

• Additionally, KIA was awarded the Best Cargo Airport in India by Air Cargo World in 2023.

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