Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

7 Oct, 2012

India Okays Five More Airports As International Gateways

=======

Ministry of Civil Aviation, 04-October, 2012 – The Union Cabinet today approved the declaration of Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport, Lucknow: Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport Varanasi and airports at Tiruchirapalli, Mangalore and Coimbatore as international airports, to fulfill the demand of State Governments, and to offer improved international connectivity, wider choice of services at competitive cost to air travelers.

All these airports are capable of handling medium capacity long range type of aircrafts and are also equipped with facilities for night operations. Further, all works pertaining to upgradation of the airports to international Standards have been completed. The declaration is expected to provide impetus to domestic/international tourism and contribute to the economic development of the concerned regions.

Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport, Lucknow: The airport runway is suitable for operation of AB-300 type of aircraft in all weather conditions. The existing apron is suitable for parking 14 aircraft (2 B747, 1 B-767-400, 11 AB-321 type of aircraft), in Power in/Push back configuration. Presently, Indian Airlines, Jetlite, Go Air, Indigo and Spice Jet airlines are operating domestic flights.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi: The airport has a runway suitable for operation of AB-320 type of aircraft in all weather conditions. The existing apron is suitable for parking 5 B767 and 4 AB-321 type of aircrafts. Presently, Air India, Jet Airways, Jetlite, Spice Jet and Kingfisher airlines are operating domestic services through this airport. Air India, Thai Airways and Cosmic Air are operating International flights through this airport.

Tiruchirapalli: The airport is suitable for operation of AB-320 / B-737-800 type of aircraft in all weather conditions. Night operations are permitted. Domestic and international flights are operating and the destinations covered are: Abu Dhabi, Chennai, Colombo, Dubai, Kuala Lampur, Mumbai and Singapore. Airlines operators – Air India Express, Air Asia, Kingfisher, Mihin Lanka, Sri Lankanand Tiger Airways. The airport is equipped with navigational aids and visual aids.

Mangalore: It is suitable for AB-310 and B737-400 type of aircraft operations in all weather conditions. Night operations are permitted and domestic and international flights are operating and the destinations covered are: Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait, Calicut, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. Airlines operating are :- Air India, Kingfisher, Spice Jet, Jet Airwaysand Air India Express. The runway is provided with instrument landing system (ILS).

Coimbatore: Coimbatore is presently handling limited international operations. The Airport is suitable for all weather operation of B-767-400 type of aircraft. Night landing operations are permitted at the airport. Destinations covered are: Bangalore, Chennai, Calicut, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Sharjah and Singapore. Airline operators are :- Air India, Air Arabia, Indigo, Jet Airways, Jetlite, Kingfisher, Silk Air and Spice Jet. The airport is equipped with navigational & visual aids including CAT-l Instrument Landing System (ILS).

Commenting on the announcement, Union Corporate Affairs & Power Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily said he was very pleased with the Cabinet decision approving the proposal of declaring Mangalore as ann international airport. He said he has been keenly pursuing the matter for a couple of years.

In a message Dr. Moily said Mangalore is the gateway of Karnataka state  and it has the potential to develop as an important commercial centre next to Mumbai on the Western Coast. It has an excellent hinterland and with the advantage modern harbor a number of industries have been situated in this region. Manipal and other educational institutions have already attracted attention of the entire world. Every house of the region has at least one person living abroad as an NRI. Mangalore Airport is functioning since 1951 and  deserved to be declared as international airport.