New Delhi, October 29, 2024: Vipin Kumar, an IAS officer from the 1996 Bihar cadre, has officially assumed the role of Chairman at the Airports Authority of India (AAI) today. Before his appointment to AAI, Kumar served as Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, where he oversaw key initiatives such as the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, National Education Policy-2020, and the PM-SHRI Scheme. He has also held several prominent roles in Bihar, including District Magistrate across multiple districts, Chairman of Bihar Bridge Construction Corporation, Managing Director of Bihar Milk Cooperative Federation (SUDHA), and Director of the Mid-Day Scheme in Bihar.
With a background in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Kumar brings both technical and administrative expertise to his new role at AAI. His leadership is expected to support the organization’s goals of expanding world-class airport infrastructure, enhancing air navigation services, and improving passenger amenities nationwide. His focus will align with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Viksit Bharat-2047,” propelling the Indian aviation sector forward.
Established by an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1995, the AAI was formed through the merger of the National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India. This unified organization is responsible for developing, managing, and upgrading India’s civil aviation infrastructure, both on the ground and within its airspace. AAI currently operates 133 airports, including 28 civil enclaves and 8 airports under private control. Of the 110 operational airports, 35 have international capabilities according to the reports published in financialexpress.com.
AAI also provides air navigation services across 2.8 million square nautical miles. In 2023-24, AAI-managed airports recorded a total of 1,053,960 aircraft movements, handling 130.67 million passengers and 688,380 metric tons of freight. With Kumar at the helm, AAI’s commitment to enhancing India’s aviation infrastructure and services is set to reach new heights, further bolstering its role in India’s economic and technological progress.
