The government directed all airports to make public announcements in local language first, followed by Hindi and English. This comes two years after Airports Authority of India (AAI) had issued a circular regarding the announcements at airports. The latest move follows a directive from Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. The Civil Aviation Ministry has also sent out a communication to private airport operators regarding public announcements to be made in the local language. The directions would not be applicable for silent airports, where public announcements are not made. In 2016, AAI had issued a circular asking airports under its control to make public announcements in the local language followed by Hindi and English. There are more than 100 operational airports.