Threat of Logjam Looms Large as Airlines Go for New Carriers

BENGALURU: Several airlines are ready to make a move and buy more aircrafts, but the move can be a dampener because of lack of slots at the airports. With the present capacity of nearly 400 aircrafts, it has become a big headache for many carriers to get extra slots. If they opt for more aircrafts, the airports won’t be able to manage this mad rush. 

In a meeting of top officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the airlines, the slot allocation for the coming winter was finalized. This has brought the problem of infrastructure crunch at the airports to the fore, who are finding it difficult to accommodate the present capacity of 400 planes and with new aircrafts in the air; it would be a nightmarish experience for them. 

From carriers not getting additional arrival and departure slots even today to questions like where will the new planes be parked, has set alarm bells ringing in the establishment. DGCA has been asked by the AAI to form a capacity-planning with airlines representatives, airport operators and traffic control to decide on "measures to improve and enhance runway capacity". 

In the meeting all airlines were asked to finalize their acquisition plans along with the plans for positioning of aircrafts at the airports. 

"Mumbai airport is running to capacity and the chances of the getting its second airport several years after the first one has been put on the backburner. Delhi, despite its three runways, has no free slots during peak hours. All these curb the choice of flights for passengers," a senior airline official told TOI. 

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