Rapid expansion of aviation has given impetus to economy: Prez

New Delhi, Nov 7: Noting that airports serve as gateways, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said rapid expansion of the aviation sector in the country has given significant boost to the economy.

"The aviation industry has grown world over and India is no exception. Air travel is no longer a luxury or the exclusive privilege of the rich."

"The rapid expansion of aviation in India has provided significant impetus to the economy," he said inaugurating the integrated terminal building of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.

He hoped the airport will help build bridges between Chhattisgarh and the rest of India as well as the world.

"I am confident it will help bring a large number of tourists and business people to the beautiful and mineral resource rich state which has a hard working and talented population," he said.

Mukherjee, who is on two-day visit to the state, said airports serve as gateways to the country.

"They are economic magnets which help further development and growth of the region where they are located. The first impression about the state of infrastructure in a city or a state comes from the facilities at the airport."

"Airports serve as an effective medium for movement of goods and services from one region to the other. These also serve as a life-line in remote areas. It is, therefore, of critical importance that we build across India airports that conform to international standards and are safe, efficient, comfortable as well as convenient to passengers," he said.