Amorati India: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

India is home to several airports, including international, limited international, and domestic airports. One such airport is the Amravati Airport, an upcoming airport in Amravati, Maharashtra. Located in Belora, about 9.3 miles south of Amravati city and the Amravati railway station, the airport is expected to become operational soon. Once it opens, it will be the third commercial airport under the Maharashtra Airport Development Company.

Amravati Airport's location

Amravati Airport, also known as Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Airport, is an upcoming airport in Amravati, Maharashtra. It is located in Belora, Amravati, 15km (9.3 miles) south of Amravati city and Amravati railway station. The airport covers an area of 389 hectares and features a runway measuring 1850 metres in length and 45 metres in width, designated as 08/26. The runway will be extended to 2,500 metres to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A-320.

The airport is accessible by road via the Belora Airport Road, with options for private vehicles or taxi services. Several bus routes connect the airport to Amravati railway station, and the nearest railway station is Amravati Railway Station, located 18km away.

The development of Amravati Airport is a significant step forward for the region, enhancing tourism, business and investment opportunities in Amravati and its vicinity. It is expected to improve regional connectivity and provide better travel options for residents and businesses. The airport is part of the UDAN-RCS scheme, which aims to boost regional connectivity.

The construction of the airport began in 2019, with the foundation stone being laid that year. The first phase of development included extending the runway, building a new apron, and constructing an isolation bay, taxiway, and new terminal building. As of August 2023, the runway extension, apron, and taxiway have been completed, and work on the terminal building is in progress. The airport was expected to open in July 2024, but it is currently behind schedule due to funding issues and pending approvals for a night landing facility.

The airport's runway and taxiway

The Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, India, has a runway that is 3658 metres long and 45 metres wide. The airport is equipped with CAT III-B ILS (Instrument Landing System), which enables aircraft to land in low-visibility conditions of up to 50 metres. This system was installed in 2016-17 at a cost of ₹ 150 crore, and has allowed for safer landings and better operational efficiency.

The airport also has three taxiways and 25 parking stands, with an additional stand for cargo. The taxiway centreline is marked by a continuous yellow line, with a width of 15 to 30 centimetres. This provides a visual guide for pilots to follow during taxiing. The taxiway edge markings are made up of a continuous double yellow line, with each line being at least 15 centimetres wide and spaced 15 centimetres apart. These lines define the boundary between the taxiway and the shoulder or another paved surface not intended for aircraft use.

The taxiways are also equipped with taxiway edge lights, which outline the edges of the taxiways during periods of low visibility. These lights emit a blue light and are spaced between 50 and 200 feet apart, with the closer spacing used at taxiway intersections. In addition, taxiway centreline lights emit a green light and guide aircraft along the taxiway centreline. These lights alternate between yellow and green where the taxiway crosses a runway or where a "lead-off" taxiway centreline leads off a runway to join a taxiway.

The airport's development history

The Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, India, is named after the fourth Sikh Guru and founder of the city, Guru Ram Das. The airport is located about 11 kilometres from the city centre in the village of Raja Sansi. It was established in 1930 during the British era and was used for VVIP movements.

After India's independence, the airport was connected with Delhi and Srinagar. The first international flight to Kabul was launched in 1960. In January 1982, Air India started a flight from Bombay to Birmingham that stopped in Delhi, Amritsar, and Moscow. The service, aboard Boeing 707s, linked the large North Indian population in the West Midlands to its homeland. The airline terminated it in October 1984 amid the Punjab insurgency.

In July 2001, construction began on the first phase of the terminal building, along with the extension of the existing runway, the construction of a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, and other works. The arrivals section of the terminal building was inaugurated in September 2005, and the departures section was made operational in March 2006. The old terminals were systematically demolished to make way for a new integrated terminal building (Phase-2). The new terminal, a blend of modern and Indian designs constructed in glass and steel with Indian-style arches and colours, was inaugurated on 25 February 2009.

The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years. In June 2016, the airport registered a 59.6% growth in international passenger traffic. The airport is also proposed to be leased out for privatisation on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

The airport's ownership

Serving the city of Amritsar in Punjab, India, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is named after the fourth Sikh Guru and founder of the city, Guru Ram Das. It is located 11km from the city centre, in the village of Raja Sansi.

The airport is currently owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), a public sector enterprise. However, there have been reports of privatisation of the airport by the Union Government, with MP Gurjit Singh Aujla welcoming the move. The privatisation would be done under a public-private partnership, where a private company would develop the airport and provide more facilities.

The Airports Authority of India has been working to modernise the airport and bring it to international standards. The existing high-rise glass-structured integrated terminal building was commissioned on 25 February 2009. The airport covers an area of approximately 40,175 square metres, with an annual passenger capacity of 4.5 million.

The airport has a runway, taxiway, and apron, with a length of 3658 meters and a width of 45 meters. It is equipped with CAT III-B ILS, allowing aircraft operations in low-visibility conditions of up to 50 meters. The airport has facilities for passengers, including a high-tech LED-based flight information display system, 30 common-user terminal equipment check-in counters, and surveillance CCTV.

The airport's future as a training organisation

The airports of the future will be defined by their ability to adapt to new technologies and embrace innovative training methodologies. The aviation industry is in a constant state of evolution, and airports must play a pivotal role in facilitating this progress. This is especially evident in the shift towards Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) for pilots, which is rapidly becoming the global standard. Airports, therefore, have a responsibility to integrate these advancements into their training programs and embrace their role as centres of learning.

The traditional approach to pilot training has been focused on task-specific instruction, which, while effective for basic scenarios, struggles to address the complexities of modern aviation. CBTA, on the other hand, prioritises the development of core competencies, such as adaptability, problem-solving, and critical thinking. By embracing CBTA, airports can ensure their training programs are future-proof and that pilots are equipped with the skills needed to handle the challenges of the 21st century.

Airports can also leverage new technologies to enhance their training capabilities. For example, the integration of advanced flight simulators and virtual reality platforms can provide immersive training experiences, allowing trainees to confront a wide range of scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. Additionally, airports can invest in digital platforms that offer standardised training modules, ensuring consistency and accessibility for trainees.

The future of airport training organisations also lies in their ability to cater to a diverse range of aviation professionals. Beyond pilots, there is a growing need for specialised training for air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance personnel, and ground handling staff. Airports can establish comprehensive training centres that offer a multitude of courses and certifications, ensuring a constant stream of skilled personnel to support the aviation industry.

Furthermore, airports can collaborate with academic institutions and industry partners to develop accredited degree programs and apprenticeships. This not only enhances the quality of training but also provides a pathway for individuals seeking careers in aviation. By partnering with universities and industry leaders, airports can contribute to the development of a highly skilled aviation workforce, benefiting the industry as a whole.

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