Sunday, December 4 2005 12:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: The Civil Aviation Ministry has prepared a detailed road map to make Indian airports of international quality, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here today (Dec 4,2005).

Inaugurating the new departure building of the domestic airport of the city here, Patel said, "The Ministry has prepared a detailed road map to make the existing airports of international quality. Thirty-five domestic airports in the country would be upgraded by 2009".

The Aviation Minister said the intention was not only to upgrade the existing facilities in all the airports of the country but to develop facilities extensively in all areas concerning Civil Aviation.

The upgradations at all major airports were also being done to facilitate the numerous private airlines that were providing air-connectivity to various cities of the country.

Announcing that the Civil Aviation sector will soon be the highest investment and employment sector, Patel said the national carriers Air India and Indian airlines were planning jointly to purchase Rs 44,000 crore worth new aircraft.