India passenger traffic to increase to over 293.5 million pax in 2017/2018: Civil Aviation Ministry

India's Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh said it expects air passenger traffic will witness an increase from over 143 million passengers in 2010/11 to over 293.48 million in 2017/18 (PTI, 22-Mar-2012). "It is estimated that the passenger traffic will increase from 143.43 million in 2010-11 to 293.48 million in 2017-18," Mr Singh said. He continued: "As per the projections of the 12th Five Year Plan, an investment of Rs 67,500 crore had been envisaged for development of airport infrastructure at existing airports as well as the development of new Greenfield airports". He noted INR500 billion (USD9.8 billion) of this is expected to come from the private sector.