The Airport Authority of India (AAI) manages total 120 Airports in the country, which include 5 International Airport, 87 domestic airports and 28 civil enclaves.  Top 5 airports in the country handle 70% of the passenger traffic out of which Delhi and Mumbai together alone accounts for 50% traffic.  Passenger and cargo traffic has has growth at an average of about 9% over the last 10 years.

 It is estimated that the domestic passenger segment is likely to grow at 12% per annum.  Anticipated growth for International passenger segment is 7% while the growth for International Cargo is likely to grow at a healthy rate of 12%.

 Privatization of International Airports is in offing through Joint Venture route.  Three greenfield airports are getting developed at Kochi, Hyderabad and Bangalore with major shareholding of private sector.

 The work on Bangalore airport is likely to commence shortly.  Few selected non-metro airports are likely to be privatized.100% foreign equity has also been allowed in construction and maintenance of airports with selective approval from Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

 The total aircraft movements handled in October 2003 has shown an increase of 15.4 percent as compared to the aircraft movement handled in October 2002.

 The international and domestic aircraft movements increased by 15.4 percent each during the period under review.  The reason for increase in aircraft movements is due to increase of operation of smaller aircraft by airlines and the introduction of new airlines viz., Air Deccan in southern region and international airlines (Air Canada, Polar Air Cargo, Qatar Airways (Freghter), Turkish Airways, Air Slovakia at IGI Airport with effect from October 2003.

 International and Domestic passenger traffic handled in October 2003 has increased by 15.4 percent and 6.7 percent over the period of October 2002 leading to an overall increase of 9.4 percent.  The total passenger increased by 9.2 percent, 7.6 percent, 8.9 percent and 17.0 percent respectively at five international airports six developing international airports, eight custom airports and 26 Domestic airports.

 The total cargo traffic handled in October 2003 has shown an increase of 3.5 percent as compared to the cargo handled in October 202.  The international and domestic cargo traffic increased by 4.3 percent and 2.1 percent respectively during the period.

 During the month of October 2003, 5346 thousand aircraft movements (excludes defense & other non-commercial movements), 40.33 lakh passengers and 88.59 thousand tones of cargo were handled at all the airports taken together.