SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Institution: Ministry of Civil Aviation
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) has released a consultation paper proposing a framework for performance standards at major airports. This initiative, issued under the mandate of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, reflects the growing need to balance infrastructure development with passenger expectations and technological innovation, such as Digi-Yatra and self-baggage drop facilities. The proposed framework seeks to define both objective and subjective indicators covering operations, infrastructure, concessions, and the overall user experience. Performance standards will be closely linked to aeronautical tariffs, with an incentive-rebate mechanism that rewards airports for exceeding benchmarks while imposing reductions for non-compliance.
The framework is designed to ensure uniform and measurable standards across major airports and integrate service quality into tariff regulation. Stakeholders are invited to provide their comments by 24 September 2025, and a consultation meeting will be held on 9 September 2025. Once finalized, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will notify the performance standards under Section 51(2)(f) of the AERA Act, 2008.
Follow the full report here:
https://www.aera.gov.in/uploads/topics/17555315227226.pdf