NEW DELHI: The Civil Aviation Ministry has received techno-feasibility reports for modernising and upgrading 25 non-metro airports. "We hope to get reports for 10 others by October when we plan to invite expression of interest," Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad said on Wednesday.

Addressing the third Indo-American Economic Summit here, he said the growth in the civil aviation sector had also brought its own challenges on infrastructure, and shortage of trained personnel, pilots and engineers.

To overcome the shortage of pilots, the Ministry would equip about 15 flying schools with trainer aircraft and also take the services of the Aero Club of India, a non-official body, to create a large pool of trained manpower. The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy, based in Rae Bareli, would increase its cadet intake from 30 to 50 and further raise it to 100 by October 2007.

Flying club

An abandoned airfield near Nagpur would be equipped with facilities to start a flying club. Its annual intake would be 100 cadets from next year. "These initiatives will reduce the time taken to train a pilot as more airlines look ahead for starting operations in the country," Mr. Prasad said. These also provided an opportunity for the private sector to become an active partner in the aviation sector growth.

Mr. Prasad said Boeing and Airbus had committed themselves to providing maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in India. Boeing would install a flight simulator for training pilots in B-777 and 787 passenger jets to be acquired by Air India. "Ultimately, we plan to get business from other countries also for maintenance, repair and overhaul of airframes and engines in India."

Flights to U.S.

Describing the April 2005 Indo-U.S. bilateral agreement as the "most fruitful and growing cooperation'' in the civil aviation sector, Mr. Prasad said it not only allowed multiple designated airlines to operate between the two countries but also permitted unrestricted points of call. While Delta, NorthWest, Continental and American Airlines were already operating flights to Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi, Air India had plans to cover Washington, Boston, Dallas and other U.S. cities.

Under the umbrella agreement, the U.S Federal Aviation Authority would help India in developing and modernising aviation infrastructure on the basis of reimbursement of cost. Mr. Prasad said India and the U.S. would soon sign a civil aviation cooperation programme.

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