AAI to focus on Hubli, Belgaum airports

D. Devaraj, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Southern Region, Chennai, said on Wednesday that after Mangalore, the focus of AAI was to develop Hubli and Belguam airports in the State.

In a chat with The Hinduat the Mangalore airport, where he inspected infrastructure development work for starting cargo operations, Mr. Devaraj said AAI had prepared a master plan to develop the Hubli airport. Its runway would be extended and widened, a terminal building, a technical block and a building for fire services would be built in phases.

The runway work would be taken up in the first phase.

He said AAI had established navigation aid facilities at the Hubli airport. It had plans to “re-activate” the airport in Belgaum. It was a dead airport now as nobody was showing interest in starting aircraft operations.

“After Mangalore, our main focus now will be to develop Hubli airport, followed by Belguam,” he said. Some more land would be acquired for the development of the airport in Mysore, which had been opened for aircraft operations.

Cargo operations

Mr. Devaraj said that infrastructure for starting cargo operations from the Mangalore International Airport had been set up. “Now equipment required at the cargo complex at Bajpe is being positioned,” he said.

He said that AAI was hopeful of the Customs Department allowing cargo operations from the airport.

“It appears they (Customs Department) have recommended for allowing cargo operations from Mangalore. AAI has not yet received any official communication to this effect,” he said.

He said AAI had written to the Customs Department to permit it to be the custodian of cargo to be handled from the Mangalore International Airport. The new complex of air traffic control (ATC) services in Mangalore would be commissioned by 2013 end.

International status

M.R. Vasudeva, who retired as Director of the Mangalore International Airport on Wednesday, said that AAI had issued a notification declaring the airport as international after the Union Cabinet cleared it recently.

Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. would develop the airport road at Kenjar shortly, Mr. Vasudeva said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/aai-to-focus-on-hubli-belgaum-airports/article4053080.ece