Bigger investments in civil aviation over next five years: Patel

Aurangabad: Civil aviation minister Praful Patel has said that the Indian civil aviation sector could attract up to Rs200,000 crore ($45 billion) investment in the next five years, higher than any other sector.

The minister said India had placed the world's largest order for Boeing and Airbus planes in 2005. "The growth rate of civil aviation is 50 per cent, the world's highest. If a plane is bought, it provides job to 10,000 people," he said.

Speaking after laying the foundation of a new integrated terminal, control tower and fire station at Aurangabad airport on Tuesday, he said that cargo and customs facilities would be made available at the airport soon. The new facilities would be built at a cost of Rs100 crore.

Patel also said that decentralisation was necessary as the airports in metros had insufficient plane parking space. Accordingly, the civil aviation ministry had planned the modernisation and upgradation of all airports in the 35 non-metros.

He also said that new airports would be started in Mumbai and Pune to avoid air traffic congestion.