Airports Authority of India

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the statutory body responsible for the creation, upgradation, maintenance and management of civil aviation infrastructure in the country. It provides air traffic management services over Indian airspace and at adjoining oceanic areas, ensuring the safe and orderly flow of aircraft. AAI also operates, manages and develops a network of airports ranging from major international hubs to smaller domestic airfields. In addition to core airport operations, the organisation offers communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) facilities that support flight safety and efficiency. Its services extend to the provision of meteorological information and aeronautical information services to airlines and pilots.

AAI’s mandate covers the entire Indian civil aviation sector, serving airlines, passengers, cargo operators and other stakeholders that rely on reliable airport and air navigation facilities. The organisation’s infrastructure footprint spans the geographical expanse of India, encompassing airports located in metropolitan cities, remote regions and island territories. By maintaining runway systems, taxiways, aprons and terminal buildings, AAI enables the movement of passengers and freight across the country. Its role is critical to the country’s connectivity, economic development and integration with global air transport networks.

Distinguishing AAI from other entities is its exclusive responsibility for providing air navigation services across Indian airspace, a function regulated under the Aircraft Act and the rules framed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The authority also acts as the nodal agency for the implementation of international civil aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within India. AAI’s specialised competencies include the design and installation of advanced radar, satellite‑based navigation and communication systems that enhance situational awareness for air traffic controllers. Furthermore, the organisation conducts training programmes for aviation personnel and undertakes research and development initiatives aimed at modernising airport operations.

Structurally, AAI functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, and is fully owned by the central government. It does not have private shareholders or a parent company in the commercial sense, but it oversees several subsidiary entities that manage specific airport projects and commercial ventures. The organisation’s governance framework includes a chairman and a board appointed by the government, ensuring alignment with national aviation policy. Notably, AAI’s digital infrastructure was targeted in a cyberattack on July 19, 2014, which compromised its secure website, exposed aviation data and disrupted enterprise systems, prompting a temporary shift to the National Informatics Centre portal during remediation.