Vijayawada: The customs airport status appears to be a distant dream for the Gannavaram airport for want of a positive response from airliners. Presently, it serves as a domestic airport providing connectivity only within the country. What is surprising is that though Amaravati region has acquired the capital status, it is no way helpful to the airport's upgradation.
The status of customs airport will facilitate operation of flights running with a free sky policy from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Dubai and Singapore from Gannavaram airport. The authorities from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) reportedly approached the airliners at an international conference in Visakhapatnam a few days back seeking expression of interest for operating flights from Gannavaram airport. As per the guidelines, the proposal for upgradation of the airport into a customs airport could not be entertained without the EoI from the operators. A senior official from the AAI told TOI that efforts were underway to secure the status with a request to the top brass not to insist on the EoI from airliners.
The lack of proactive approach from the elected representatives from the region is said to be the main reason for status upgradation remaining a far cry for the Gannavaram airport. The Visakhapatnam airport has acquired such a status a long time back because of efforts from the local MP and BJP leader Kambhampati Hari Babu, it is said.
30/03/16 Times of India
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The status of customs airport will facilitate operation of flights running with a free sky policy from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Dubai and Singapore from Gannavaram airport. The authorities from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) reportedly approached the airliners at an international conference in Visakhapatnam a few days back seeking expression of interest for operating flights from Gannavaram airport. As per the guidelines, the proposal for upgradation of the airport into a customs airport could not be entertained without the EoI from the operators. A senior official from the AAI told TOI that efforts were underway to secure the status with a request to the top brass not to insist on the EoI from airliners.
The lack of proactive approach from the elected representatives from the region is said to be the main reason for status upgradation remaining a far cry for the Gannavaram airport. The Visakhapatnam airport has acquired such a status a long time back because of efforts from the local MP and BJP leader Kambhampati Hari Babu, it is said.
30/03/16 Times of India
