**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to Unstarred Question No. 2097 raised in Lok Sabha, concerning the modernisation of aviation navigation. The response details the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) investment plans for upgrading air traffic management systems, filling technical vacancies, and establishing a cybersecurity division, up to February 12, 2026. The AAI is undergoing modernisation and recruitment to ensure continuity of services.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **AAI Modernisation Initiatives:**
* AAI is continuously modernising air navigation infrastructure and upgrading Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems.
* AAI has earmarked approximately Rs. 3490 crore during the period 2026-2028 for modernisation of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure.
* Rs. 1532 crore is allocated for automation of ATM systems, while the remaining funds will upgrade other CNS/ATM equipment.
* **Recruitment and Vacancies:**
* AAI undertakes recruitment to ensure adequate technical manpower for operational safety and continuity of services.
* Over the last three years, AAI has recruited 2341 individuals for technical roles at the executive level.
* **Cybersecurity Division:**
* AAI is establishing a dedicated Cyber Security Division for CNS/ATM and IT/OT systems.
* AAI has issued a Request for Proposal to IIT Madras for consultancy services to strengthen the cybersecurity framework of OT/IT systems at AAI airports.
* The consultancy includes formulation of cyber security architecture and assessment of manpower requirements for cyber security verticals in AAI.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** AAI is tasked with executing modernisation plans, managing recruitment efforts, and establishing a cybersecurity division.
* **Action Required:** AAI needs to implement the modernisation plan within the budget and timeline, continue recruitment processes to fill technical positions, and work with IIT Madras to establish the cybersecurity division.
**Stakeholder: Air Travelers/General Public**
* **Impact:** Modernisation of aviation navigation and surveillance technology at airports will likely improve air travel safety and efficiency.
* **Action Required:** None.
**Stakeholder: IIT Madras**
* **Impact:** IIT Madras is engaged as consultant.
* **Action Required:** IIT Madras needs to develop cybersecurity architecture and assessment of manpower requirements for cyber security verticals in AAI.
Key Entities Referenced
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The sole Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in India, responsible for modernisation of air navigation infrastructure and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for matters related to civil aviation.
Air Traffic Management (ATM): Systems used for the safe and efficient management of air traffic; AAI is modernizing these systems.
IIT Madras: Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; to be engaged as a consultant to support and strengthen the cybersecurity framework of OT/IT systems at AAI airports
Cyber Security Division: A dedicated division to be established within AAI for CNS/ATM and IT/OT systems.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2097
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
MODERNISATION OF AVIATION NAVIGATION
2097. SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering an
investment of over Rs. 15,000 crores to modernize aviation navigation and surveillance
technology at various airports across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of the breakdown of the said
investment/funds decided in this regard;
(c) whether AAI is also taking proactive steps to fill vacancies of technical roles across
various airports and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether AAI is further considering establishment of a dedicated and skilled cyber-
security division and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): The Airports Authority of India (AAI), being the sole Air Navigation Service
Provider (ANSP) in the country, continuously undertakes modernisation of air
navigation infrastructure and upgradation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems
to cater to the growing air traffic demand. In this regard, AAI has earmarked a capital
outlay of approximately Rs. 3490 crore during the period 2026–2028 for the
modernisation of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic
Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at various airports across the country. Out of
the said expenditure, around Rs. 1532 Crore pertains to automation of ATM systems
across airports, while the remaining funds have been allocated for the upgradation of
other CNS/ATM equipment.
(c): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) undertakes recruitment from time to time to
ensure availability of adequate technical manpower for maintaining operational safety
and continuity of services. During the last three years, recruitment to 2341 posts in
technical roles at the executive level has been conducted by AAI.
(d): For the establishment of a dedicated Cyber Security Division for CNS/ATM and
IT/OT (Information Technology/ Operational Technology) systems, AAI has issued a
Request for Proposal to IIT Madras for engagement as a consultant to support and
strengthen the cybersecurity framework of OT/IT systems at AAI airports. The scope
of the consultancy includes formulation of cyber security architecture and assessment
of manpower requirements for cyber security verticals in AAI.
******