Anuj Aggarwal, Airport Director, Jaipur Airport has his roots deeply embedded in this city.His family is from Jaipur. He is one of the youngest Airport Directors today in the rank of General Manager in Airports Authority of India. He did his graduation from BITS Pilani and his advanced post graduation diploma in Management later on. .Before joining the National Airports Authority in the Civil Engineering discipline, he had a short stint in different private and public sector companies in Mumbai, Orissa and Baireilly( U.P).

 

CCT had the privilege to talk to Mr. Aggarwal on 06.05.07 in an informal meeting and understand his dedication and  commitment in providing the best of the services to all his customers. The excerpt from the meeting follows.

 

CCT-What is your opinion on the massive growth in aviation in India in current times?

APD- There is a tremendous growth taking place in Aviation today. In fact at the current rate of 35% overall growth I would call it a aviation boom or revolution. There was a time when we had the green revolution which brought in massive agriculture produce and growth and then the white revolution which changed the entire face of dairy industry in India. Now it is our turn, the aviation revolution is here and we should be proud and happy that it has come during our times. We should do our due to best and contribute our part in this aviation boom.

 

CCT-What are your plans for contributing in this rapid aviation growth?

APD- Jaipur has also seen a rapid growth in the recent times .From the 9 to 10 scheduled flights and a total of 4 parking bays that it used to be before, it is a total of 7 parking bays today and a total  26 scheduled flights daily and some more are expected to be added by this June .Like the International flights of Oman Airways and Air Arabia. Seven domestic operators and two International Operators operate from here their scheduled flights today. A new domestic regional operator MDLR is expected to begin their operations soon.

 

AAI Jaipur has ambitious plans to take up the challenges posed by this growth. The present Terminal Building is proposed to be used in a most space utilized manner so that all the operators have equal opportunities in providing services to their customers. A new state of the Art International Terminal Building is under construction which is expected to be in operation from 2008 .This building would have the most modern facilities for the passengers,2 aerobridges and would have a new apron area with 10 parking bays to park wide bodied aircraft. Also the   runway is proposed to be increased in length from the present 9000feet to 11500feet.All possibilities are being explored to have a separate parking area for small aircraft and a separate helicopter movement area.

 

CCT- What do you foresee the outcome of this growth?

APD-Lot of other related and allied activities like night parking of more aircraft at Jaipur resulting in hub formation like in Hyderabad, refueling, engineering workshops, flight catering etc would follow. Lot of job opportunities would be thrown open.

 

CCT-Do you have any marketing strategy to attract the International Operators to Jaipur?

APD-AAI has introduced certain rebates in its traffic charges as an incentive to operators for landing at certain times. But the State Government could do a lot in this field. Incentives could be introduced to tour Operators for Charters. Concessions could be introduced for group bookings or bulk bookings in hotels in Rajasthan. All this could be backed by a good marketing strategy.

 

CCT-What do you think is the bottle-neck in the growth of Jaipur Airport?

APD- In the next 10 to 20 years with this kind of a growth in Aviation, availability of land for construction of operational and passenger facilities could be bottleneck. With the growth of the city all around the airport, we need to use the available land very judiciously today.

 

CCT-Do you propose to implement any new ideas at Jaipur Airport?

APD-We have introduced the facility of the presence and services of a qualified Doctor during our scheduled flight times in our first aid room in the visitors lounge for passengers .The services of the Doctor is available to the passengers free of cost. Also an ambulance is readily available for the air travelers in any emergency situations. We have introduced hospitality services for our reserved lounge at the airport by inducting trainee hospitality students to augment our present Terminal   Management.

We propose to explore the possibilities and provide a computer Kiosk to our passengers to make them available with flight schedules ,airline enquiry, real time situations of flights and current weather.

 

 

CCT-Do you propose to have the METRO terminate or commence from the airport?

APD-As and when Metro starts at Jaipur, a possibility of the same could be certainly explored.

 

CCT-Do you think Jaipur would have an edge over other airports of AAI in Rajasthan like Udaipur?

APD-Jaipur being strategically located close to Delhi and being the capital city of Rajasthan  would always have an edge over other airports in Rajasthan. Also Jaipur with its rich heritage attracts the tourist and is a part of the golden triangle.

 

CCT-What is your favourite food?

APD-I love simple vegetarian Rajasthani food and fruits. In fruits ,mango is my favourite.

 

CCT-What is your favourite holiday  destination?

APD-Goa.

 

CCT-What is your favourite past time?

APD- Spending quality time with my family, Light reading whenever I can find time and walking.

 

CCT  thanked Mr. Anuj Aggarwal for his time and also for sharing his views on so many topics and continued a few questions to Mrs. Chhavi Aggarwal, wife of Mr. Anuj Aggarwal. She is a homemaker and proud mother of two beautiful children. Dr .Chhavi Aggarwal has a Phd. Degree to her credit in Physics, Microwave Electronics. She is one creative person who spends her past time in painting.

 

CCT-How do you feel after coming back to Jaipur?

Mrs Aggarwal- Definitely very good.

 

CCT-Since you have been watching aviation so closely, what is your opinion of aviation?

Mrs. Aggarwal-From the times when it used to be a luxary of the few, it has now become a necessity of every person, more and more with the common man making air journeys today.

 

CCT-What is the scope of aviation in our present day society  in your opinion?

Mrs. Aggarwal-Tremendous. A new vista for the youth to explore .

 

CCT-What is your favourite food?

Mrs. Aggarwal-Indian South Indian.

 

CCT-What is your favourite holiday destination?

Mrs.Aggarwal-Goa.

 

CCT-And your favourite past time?

Mrs. Aggarwal-Reading and painting.

 

Mr.& Mrs.Anuj Aggarwal make a team who clearly understand the possibilities offered by the aviation explosion in India and wants to do their best as part of their responsibility.

CCT wishes the best to this couple on all of our  behalf.