Government body proposes four new airports in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Mumbai: A government body Friday recommended four new greenfield airport projects in the smaller towns of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as part of India's overall aim to improve airport infrastructure and regional connectivity in the country.

"The Steering Committee on Greenfield airports headed by Secretary, Civil Aviation...met today and considered 4 new airport projects. The Committee recommended ‘in principle’ approval to 3 projects in Andhra Pradesh viz., Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi (Nellore) and Orvakallu (Kurnool). The Committee also recommended for ‘site clearance’ to the project of Kothagudem in Telengana," the ministry of civil aviation said in an official statement.

A new international airport at Bhogapuram will be developed by the state government under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore. It is estimated to cater to 6.3 million passengers per annum in the initial phase.

The other two airports in Andhra Pradesh will be developed as domestic no-frills airports with an estimated cost of Rs 88 crores each. Dagadarthi will be developed under the PPP mode whereas a project at Orvakallu will be developed by state government on its own.
30/01/16 Anirban Chowdhury/Economic Times

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No user development fee for domestic flights from Mumbai airport

Mumbai: Domestic passengers from Mumbai will not be charged an user development fee (UDF) and international passengers will pay half of the current levy following the revision in airport tariff by the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) on Thursday.

At present domestic fliers from Mumbai are levied a UDF of Rs 274 (excluding service tax) and now that has been done away with. International passengers pay Rs 548 as UDF and that has now been reduced to Rs 227 (excluding service tax). The international UDF will see a revision to Rs 218 and Rs 278 in FY 18 and FY 19. The UDF is included in ticket price and is a direct levy on passengers.


The new charges will come into effect from November 1 and are part of the tariff order for five year period extending till 2019. However for passengers the relief from reduced UDF could be short lived and airlines may hike fares to bear additional charges imposed on them.

In order to compensate for the loss due to reduction in UDF, Mumbai airport proposed a revision in landing charges it collects from airlines and the same was approved by the airport regulator. Along with landing charges, airlines also pay common user terminal equipment charges and fuel throughput charges. Over all the tariff has been reduced by 4.6 per cent.
30/09/16 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Did you know Delhi's IGI Airport doesn't leave a carbon footprint?

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport recently became the first carbon neutral airport in Asia-Pacific region.

The Airports Council International (ACI) had announced IGI's feat during the airport carbon accreditation certificate presentation ceremony in Montreal, Canada.

Carbon neutrality occurs when the net carbon emissions over an entire year is zero. This means the airport absorbs or offsets the same amount of emission that was generated.

Listed below are important facts about it that you should know:

The Airport Carbon Accreditation has upgraded Delhi Airport to highest level of certification -- a level 3+ neutrality, which is the highest level of achievement available to airports across the world
The IGI airport is run by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) is a joint venture company, in which GMR holds majority stake
30/09/16 India Today

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Navi Mumbai airport contract expected by end of December

Mumbai: The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has extended the deadline for submission of request for proposal (RFP) for the Navi Mumbai International Airport up to November 7 from mid-October. This was necessary after Hiranandani Developers and its consortium partner Zurich Airport received security clearance from the Union home ministry in the second week of August, allowing it to file RFP.

CIDCO on Thursday revealed its revised schedule for RFP submission during its meeting with Jayant Sinha, Union minister of civil aviation. Earlier, Sinha conducted an aerial survey of the Navi Mumbai airport site.

A CIDCO official, who did not want to be named, told Business Standard, “Hiranandani Developers, which was the qualified bidder, had approached us with a request to grant enough time to submit RFP after the Union home ministry’s security clearance. We have therefore extended the submission date up to November 7 so that

Hiranandani Developers, its consortium partner Zurich Airport , and other three qualified bidders including GMR Delhi, the GVK-led Mumbai International Airport Ltd, MIA Infrastructure of France and Tata Realty can file their RFPs.''
30/09/16 Sanjay Jog/Business Standard

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Trials begin for new traffic plan at Chennai airport

Chennai: Trials have started for a new traffic plan at the Chennai airport that will significantly improve vehicle movements when implemented. This new plan, which involves putting to use the newly constructed centre ramp, is likely to be open in two months.

In this plan, the vehicles going to the departure hall of the domestic terminal will enter through the centre ramp and exit left and those heading to the international terminal will enter from the right and exit from the ramp.

Airport Director Deepak Shastri said, “We need some more time because toll booths and other related infrastructure have to be installed. We carried out trial runs, in coordination with the traffic police, for a few times.”
29/09/16 The Hindu

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India may consider Iran proposal to develop Chabahar airport

India may examine a proposal from Iran to develop airport at its strategic Chabahar port as part of comprehensive infrastructure development that includes rail-road connectivity to the port. The Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nation’s southern coast lies outside the Persian Gulf and is easily accessed from India’s western coast bypassing Pakistan. “There is already an operational airport at Chabahar. The Iranian delegation to India has asked us whether India would be willing to develop and modernise it during the review on the latest development and situation on the bilateral pact… on the Chabahar port,” an official told PTI.
Apart from discussions on expanding scope of cooperation to cover development of the entire Chabahar port, it was discussed that air transport could be of much significance, the official disclosed. The high-level Iranian delegation led by Minister of Roads and Urban Development Dr Abbas Akhoundi and comprising Ambassador Gholamreza Ansari and Deputy Minister and MD for PMO Mohammad Saeid Nejad, among others, held a meeting with Indian authorities led by Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari here.
The official said Chabahar has an operational airport and the Iranian minister enquired whether India would be willing to modernise it. After meeting the Iranian team and a delegation from Afghanistan, Gadkari hoped that Chabahar project will open a new gateway for development of India, Iran and Afghanistan by boosting regional connectivity and trade.
He said further, “We will try to complete the project within the time schedule. We are also finding out what are new things for which we will have opportunity for development and investment. The Iranian minister has given lots of innovative suggestions regarding business development.”
29/09/16 PTI/Financial Express

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Tirupati Airport awarded as 'Best Tourist Friendly Airport'

Airport Authority of India's Tirupati Airport has been awarded as "Best Tourist Friendly Airport" under the category for "State Annual Excellence Awards (2015-16)" by Andhra Pradesh Tourism.

The award was presented on the eve of World Tourism Day by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandra Babu Naidu at a grand event on Tuesday at Bhawani Islands, Vijayawada.
29/09/16 ANI/Business Standard

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Airport officials urge govt to speed up land acquisition

Thiruvananthapuram: In an attempt to speed up land acquisition for the development of Trivandrum International Airport, the airport advisory committee convened a meeting at the airport here on Wednesday. This is the second such meeting held by the committee this year.
Airport officials requested to take necessary measures to begin the land acquisition in the meeting headed by Shashi Tharoor MP.
According to officials, 18.53 acres are required for expansion of the terminal in the Chackai side. The airport authority had earlier sent several requests to the government to begin the land acquisition in the 18.53 acres of land allotted to the airport in 2014, but each time due to local protests the land acquisition proceedings were stalled. The latest attempt in August by a team of revenue officials, who reached Vallakadavu to initiate proceedings for land acquisition, was foiled by the local residents who raised protest and prevented the officials from entering the area.
"The members of the advisory committee have assured that the issues at the airport will be discussed with the government. Shashi Tharoor MP has said that he will take up the issue of delay in land acquisition with chief secretary S M Vijayanand soon. We have requested district collector S Venkatesapathy to speed up land acquisition," said airport director George G Tharakan.
29/09/16 Times of India

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Aurangabad-Mumbai evening flights scrapped on 2 days

Aurangabad: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has cancelled all the evening flights between Aurangabad and Mumbai on Monday and Thursday because of the ongoing repair work at the Mumbai airport.
The evening flights on the two days will not operate between the two cities from October 31 till November 28. This will have a direct impact on the two flights operated by Air India and Jet Airways.
When contacted, a Jet Airways representative confirmed that the airline will not operate on the two days and said the frequent fliers have already been informed about the development to avoid any inconvenience.
AAI officials said the decision was taken a few months ago and was communicated to all airports across the country to ensure alternate arrangements.Air ticket operators have expressed anguish over the decision citing that the flights getting cancelled during Diwali will take a toll on their businesses.
29/09/16 Times of India

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Hopes rise for international cargo from Madurai airport

Madurai: Madurai airport may soon get the long-awaited international cargo facility, authorities have indicated. This after the traders' body decided to give an undertaking that they did not need the cold storage facility for cargo operations.
There has been a delay on the part of customs department in giving custodianship for the facility despite the finance ministry notification way back in May 2013. Apparently, customs were waiting for the cold storage facility to be set up.
Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TNCCI) senior president S Rethinavelu said they had recently taken up the delay in setting up the facility with the Joint commissioner of customs who in turn cited the absence of cold storage facility.
"We told him that we will give in writing that we do not need the facility initially. In that case, he promised us to take up the custodianship. We are submitting the letter tomorrow," he said.
29/09/16 Times of India

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Delhi Metro introduces short service card for riders of Airport Express line

New Delhi: Delhi Metro has introduced a short service card for riders of the Airport Express line who are not regular commuters. Called the 10-trip travel card, it will help commuters avail limited travel trips up to 10 trips on the Airport Express line. "The validity of the 10 trip card will be for 15 days and the facility will be applicable on trial for three months," added the spokesperson for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

The 10-T card is in addition to ones already available like 30 trips and 45 trips travel card on the Express line, which is generally used by the Airport Express' regular commuters. Both these trip cards come with a validity of 30 days.
29/09/16 Rumu Banerjee/Times of India

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Airport to get 3 forex counters this Diwali

The city airport authorities just made your international trip easier by ticking ‘get foreign currency’ off your to-do list. Authorities confirmed on Thursday that the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport will get three foreign currency exchange counters in its premises before Diwali. Sources said the contract for the services have been awarded to a Mumbai-based company that will set up the three counters within a month, well in time for your Diwali vacation.
While one counter will be set up near the arrival gate at the international terminal, a second counter will be at the departure gate and a third one will be inside the security-held area in the departure area. Centrum Corporation that was awarded the bid by the AAI has already the process of staff recruitment, related paperwork and kicked off construction of the counters.
Airport Director AK Sharma said, “This is an issue we have been working on for quite some time now and have successfully been able to find a solution. A contract has been awarded to a company that is already working on the setup.” The last foreign exchange counter at the airport closed in 2015. Since then, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has floated at least three tenders inviting bids to set up these counters at the city airport but there had been no takers.
30/09/16 Ahmedabad Mirror

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Indian airlines are planning to get hundreds of new aircrafts and it will be a nightmare. Here’s why

Several airlines in India are planning to buy more aircrafts but the plan can be a dampener due to unavailability of slots at the airports. Presently, all the airlines in India collectively have less than 400 aircrafts and yet many carriers don’t get additional arrival and departure slots.  If they bring in more flights, the airports won’t be able to manage the huge rush.

In a meeting of top officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the airlines, the slot allocation for the coming winter was finalized. This led to the problem of airport infra crunch that threatens to worsen as airlines add planes to their fleets.
DGCA was asked by the AAI to form a capacity-planning and management body with airline representatives, airport operators and traffic control to decide on "measures to enhance runway capacity".
In the meeting all airlines were asked to submit their aircraft acquisition plan along with the plans for positioning of aircrafts.  Airlines also said that they weren’t able to get slots even for few moments at some airports.
29/09/16 Business Insider

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First flight under regional air connectivity likely in January, says Civil Aviation Minister

Government expects the first flight under the regional air connectivity scheme, which is in advanced stages of finalisation, to take off in early January 2017, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said.

The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), which seeks to provide air services between un-served and under-served areas, is part of larger plans to boost the domestic aviation sector, which is clocking over 20 per cent passenger growth. Raju , under whose stewardship the civil aviation policy was announced in June, said work is at an advanced stage with respect to RCS.

"We expect the first flight under RCS to take off by the end of this year or early January 2017," he told PTI. The civil aviation ministry has already signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, for implementation of RCS. The scheme refers to operation of an air transport service between any two airports, of which at least one has been declared by the central government as un-served or under-served.

There are 394 un-served and 16 under-served airports. Last week, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said as many as 20 un-utilised airports are ready to start operations for regional flights.

A slew of incentives are being proposed under RCS, including Rs 2,500 cap on airfare for one-hour flights. Airlines under RCS will be extended viability gap funding (VGF) while the states concerned are required to offer certain concessions such as providing police and fire services free of cost.
27/09/16 PTI/dna

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New Pune airport should take three years to complete but can’t give a definite deadline, says Ajay Kumar

Sunanda Mehta: Is Pune finally getting a new airport? After waiting for so many years, is it finally happening?
Pune badly needs an airport of its own. Technically, the Chief Minister and the Airports Authority of India has zeroed in on the land. Roughly, area will be 18 square kilometres. But the final site has to be decided by the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC). The area will certainly touch many villages and may also require rehabilitation. But from what I know, the selected site does not have much cultivation or high residential density.
Manoj More: Do you think it’s an appropriate site?
It’s basically appropriate from the construction point of view. It’s about 40-45 kms away from the Pune City. I can’t say right now when such a huge infrastructure is there, about new road and rail infrastructure. A new airport—being 40-odd kilometre away from the centre of the city-— it’s not a long distance. In fact, it’s a must because a lot of land is required for the development. Hence, the airports can’t be very close to the city.
Sunanda Mehta: The new airport has been delayed for so long. In the meantime, Pune has grown tremendously. So what is it that the city has lost during these years?
The growth of air traffic and the potential is phenomenal. Last year, we grew at the rate of 29 per cent. This year, we are growing at 25-per cent point. Thus we have seen a 65 per cent growth. Last year, we handled about 5.5 million passengers. This year, it might cross 6.6 million. That’s too great a growth for a city. This city has a great potential I would say.
Atikh Rashid: In last few months, the AAI and Civil Aviation Ministry has moved fast to increase the capacity of the Lohegaon Airport and the newly-acquired 15 acres of land. Will the latest announcement of finalisation of the site for the new airport slow down this development of the Lohegaon Airport?
No. Basically, the new airport is not a replacement for this airport. This development is to meet the short-term demands. Four new aircraft bays will come up of Code-C type on the additional land that we have got. Also, buildings of a volume 35,000 square metre will come up, which will also enhance the amenities at the airport.
Ajay Khape: What would be the difference between having an airport at the new proposed site in Purandar as opposed to the earlier location at Chakan?
I can’t compare these two locations. I have not seen the location (Chakan) at all. That site is not technically suitable. That was the only problem. They were not suitable from the aeronautical point of view.
28/09/16 The Indian Express

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Lawmakers Eye Quota On Private Carriers, Airlines Say No

At a time the aviation sector is struggling to cut down on losses, India's lawmakers, who enjoy quota in railways and travel like maharajas in the loss-making Air India, are eyeing reservation in private carriers.

The lawmakers say when parliament is in session, travelling by air is inconvenient, since seats are not always available. So on Monday, the committee on Salaries and Allowances -- a standing committee that deals with privileges for lawmakers - met the representatives of airlines to explore the possibility of reserving seats on private carriers.

"Some MPs had grievances that they couldn't find seats when they travelled. So they asked if they could be reserved during the session,'' said a lawmaker.

But the airlines turned down the request, saying blocking of seats was not possible. Seats, they said, were "perishable commodities'' and an empty seat would add to their loss.

Some lawmakers had also wanted the use of the electronic buggies since the Delhi airport's Terminal Three is a bit of a trek from the gates to the baggage pick-up area.
28/09/16 Sunetra Choudhury/NDTV

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Questions galore over govt's nod for Mangalagiri airport

Even as the land acquisition process is going on for Gannavaran airport modernisation, the state government's approval for a greenfield airport at Mangalagiri, just 35 km away from it, has given rise to many apprehensions from various quarters. Experts, including those from the aviation sector, point out that a second airport in such close proximity will neither be feasible nor economically viable.
The state government, at its cabinet meeting last week, has cleared the proposal for construction of the airport in 5,000 acres at Mangalagiri. This has raised many an eyebrow as hundreds of crores of rupees are being spent on the Gannavaram airport for developing it in such a way that it can even handle international flight services.
M Subba Rao, former employee of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and now a resident of Gannavaram who had served as the director of various international airports at Calicut, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar, said that it is neither feasible nor viable to have both the airports. "It will not be viable as it is just 35 km away from the existing airport," he said.
He further said that there is no clarity over the issue as it is only in the preliminary stage wherein the state cabinet had taken a decision in this regard. "The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has to approve it. Then a team will study the topography of Mangalagiri. Only after a thorough study, a decision will be taken," he said.
However, the voices against the government's proposal are growing stronger as industry bodies and other experts point out that there is no need for a new airport in the capital region as the existing one at Gannavaram is not being used to its full capacity.
"The proposed greenfield airport at Mangalagiri will not be viable as there is no such demand. When the government is planning to connect the capital region with an outer ring road (ORR) of 210 km and when so much money is being spent on the existing airport, I don't understand the logic behind the decision," said Muthavarapu Murali Krishna, president of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (APCCIF). He said that an airport of such capacity (in 5,000 acres) is not required at least in the next 20 to 30 years.
28/09/16 Jayanth P/The Times Of India

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Delhi airport first carbon neutral airport in Asia-Pacific

The GMR consortium-AAI run Delhi Airport has become the first carbon neutral airport in Asia-Pacific following a series of measures taken by it to reduce carbon footprint, including setting up of a 7.84 MW solar power plant.
The announcement was made by the international body of aerodrome operators across the world, ACI during the Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate presentation ceremony in Montreal, Canada yesterday.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation has upgraded Delhi Airport to highest level of certification -- a level 3+ neutrality -- available to airports across the world, according to a release.
Carbon neutrality occurs when the net carbon emissions over an entire year are zero or when the airport absorbs or offsets the same amount of emission that was generated.
This achievement is accredited by ACI under Airport Carbon Accreditation that monitors the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions.
"Achievement of the accreditation for carbon neutrality is indeed recognition of a great team work. With this achievement, we have set up new benchmark for other airports in this region to follow.
28/09/16 PTI/The Times Of India

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Khadi showroom to open at Ranchi airport

Jharkhand Khadi Board Chairperson Sanjay Seth said on Wednesday a Khadi showroom will be opened at Birsa Munda Airport here in October, the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi.
"We have got permission to open Khadi showroom at Ranchi airport. This will be a modern showroom which would be opened in 1,500 sq feet and have all the facilities," Seth told IANS.
On the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, the Jharkhand Khadi Board would organise a Khadi fair at Ranchi where Khadi products will be available at discounted rates.
"We are working for our Prime Minister's dream to make Khadi an attire of common people and generate employment to youth and rural people. Many programmes will be organised in Jharkhand this year to create awareness among youth," said Seth.
Seth took over as the chairperson of Jharkhand Khadi Board in July this year. After taking over, he has opened two new Khadi showrooms.
"By December, modern showrooms of Khadi will be opened in each of the 24 districts of the state. Sales boys and girls, fluent in the local, Hindi and English languages, would be appointed," said Seth.
28/09/16 The Times Of India

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Foreign currencies worth Rs 25.6 lakh seized from man at Goa airport

Foreign currencies with a face value of Rs 25.6 lakh were seized from a passenger while he was about to fly to Dubai from the Dabolim airport in Goa on Wednesday, Customs officials said.

"The Air Intelligence Unit of Goa Customs this morning seized assorted foreign currencies, including Saudi and Qatar Riyals, Dirhams and US Dollars worth Rs 25.6 lakh," Customs spokesman said in a statement.

The currencies were recovered from Anwar Sadiq Bappaithotty Abdul Rahiman, a native of Kasaragod in Kerala, who was planning to board an Air Arabia flight from here going to Dubai via Sharjah.
28/09/16 PTI/dna

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Chandigarh: Airport facilities irk passengers as IndiGo starts flight to Dubai

A worker repairs the scanning machine installed at International Airport in Chandigarh Monday. Jasbir Malhi A worker repairs the scanning machine installed at International Airport in Chandigarh Monday. Jasbir Malhi The city may have added more flights to Dubai, however, passengers who landed in the airport are not too happy with the facilites available there. On Monday, IndiGo started its direct flight to Dubai, two weeks after Air India started operating its flights to Sharjah.
27/09/16 Nyoooz

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No staff, but officials buying aircraft

Ludhiana Aviation Club (LAC) has not been functional for 10 years and the authorities have transferred the ground staff to other centres. But the Punjab civil aviation council is procuring training aircraft to start flying training here.
Though the club had staff for training pilots, it didn't function because of the absence of an aircraft since 2006. Sources at the Ludhiana airport, which houses the club, said the ground staff posted at the club has been transferred and services of one of the trainers may have been terminated. They added that a message was being given by the senior officials that the club would be closed forever as the aircraft and the staff had been moved to other centres, Patiala and Amritsar, respectively.
27/09/16 Shariq Majeed/The Times Of India

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Civil aviation ministry to employ 50 engineering and management graduates

In an attempt to strengthen its talent pool, India’s civil aviation ministry is hiring technical and management professionals to tackle the challenges of the world’s ninth largest aviation market.
The move is also aimed at creating a data bank of India’s civil aviation sector, which is poised to be the third-largest growing market by 2020 after the US and China. According to the ministry’s estimates, the civil aviation sector will employ around a million personnel directly by 2035.
“We have already initiated to hire over 50 engineering and management graduates for our economic regulatory division, where the new recruits will prepare economic research papers including consultation papers, discussion papers on a given problem relating to the civil aviation sector, besides skill building,” said a senior civil aviation ministry official requesting anonymity.
This comes in the backdrop of the government anticipating rapid growth in aviation sector as it plans to roll-out regional connectivity scheme to connect unserved and underserved airports which number over 394 airstrips and airports. Of these only 77 airports have air operations.
“This exercise is being done to meet the goals associated with regional connectivity scheme and will also help the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) which will be heavily burdened with the growth happening in India’s aviation space,” said another government official who also didn’t want to be named.
27/09/16 Sanjay Singh/VCCircle

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Kothagudem may get new Greenfield Airport

Here is more good news for the people of Kothagudem. After finding a place in the proposed new districts’ list, Kothagudem, may get a new Greenfield Airport as well.

The Steering Committee of Greenfield Airports gave clearance to Kothagudem Greenfield Airport along with three other airports. The committee headed by secretary, Civil Aviation (MOCA) in New Delhi considered the four new airports projects. “The committee recommended ‘in principle‘ approval to three projects in AP while recommended for ‘site clearence to the project of Kothagudem in Telangana,” an official release said. Kothagudem is the second Greenfield Airport after the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad which is 240 km away from Kothagudem. The district administration has aquired 1,500 acres land at Punuguduchelaka village in Kothagudem mandal for the airport.

Kothagudem airport will become viable as there is no airport close to Khammam. The famous Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam considered next to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is thronged by tourists from north India. Also, the presence of SSCL, paper mills, heavy water plant and other industries will utilise the airport services. Proposal for establishing a Greenfield airport at Kothagudem got a fillip when the Telangana Government asked RITES Limited to undertake further stages of project.
27/09/16 The New Indian Express

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Chandigarh: Airport facilities irk passengers as IndiGo starts flight to Dubai

The city may have added more flights to Dubai, however, passengers who landed in the airport are not too happy with the facilites available there.
On Monday, IndiGo started its direct flight to Dubai, two weeks after Air India started operating its flights to Sharjah. The IndiGo Dubai-Chandigarh-Dubai flight will operate daily.
The first IndiGo flight with 90 passengers from Dubai touched down at 10.40 am, 20 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, and left at 4.10 pm with 127 passengers on board.
A senior IndiGo official told Chandigarh Newsline that the overall response was good. “All the operating captains of the flight were from Chandigarh,” said an official.
But those who arrived said that the facilities at the airport needs to be upgraded.
“The flight landed much before the scheduled time. But, it took us one hour to come out of the airport as the transfer of baggage was very slow. I am happy that we have a direct flight. But, the facilities disappointed me,” said Darshan Singh, a resident of Chandigarh.
27/09/16 Adil Akhzer/The Indian Express

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Articles worth Rs 2 crore seized at Kolkata airport

Customs authorities seized smuggled goods valued at around Rs 2 crore at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport in Kolkata, an official said on Tuesday.

On Monday, articles were intercepted from 15 passengers travelling from Bangkok, Dubai and Singapore to the city.
27/09/16 India Live Today

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Singapore man detained at Chennai Airport with foreign currency

A Singapore-bound air passenger was detained here for allegedly trying to carry foreign currency worth about Rs 18 lakh, airport officials said today.
The passenger from Chennai was found carrying American and British currencies in his hand baggage by Customs last night, they said.
27/09/16 Avinash Nandakumar/India Live Today

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CIAL meeting to consider payment of 25% dividend

The 22nd annual general body meeting of the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), being held here on Tuesday, is expected to approve, among other things, the induction of new members of the Board of Directors as well as the proposal to pay 25 per cent dividend for the last financial year.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is the chairman of CIAL, will preside at the meeting scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Fine Arts Society Hall.

There are 18,200 shareholders in CIAL in 36 countries. It is the first airport in the country to come up in the private-public partnership mode. The company achieved a profit of Rs.175 crore during the last financial year and the proposal is for dividend payment of 25 per cent. The company had a total turnover of Rs.524 crore during the last financial year. With the dividend of 25 per cent for the last fiscal, the total dividend payment from CIAL will stand at 153 per cent from 2003-04.
27/09/16 The Hindu

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Check-in counters inadequate at airport

The checking of vehicles after passing through the toll gate, single entry and the inadequate check-in counters at the Visakhapatnam International Airport are sometimes resulting in passengers missing their flights.

Many a time checking of vehicles is being done after the toll gate and this is taking around 15 minutes and passengers have to wait in queue at the entry gate for their turn to enter the airport for another 15 minutes. The check-in is taking a long time and many a time passengers are complaining of having missed their flights, says a travel agent.

Domestic passengers are asked to report 45 minutes before the departure of their flight and when 30 minutes is lost before the entry of the passenger into the airport, the anxiety of passenger can well be imagined. He calls for an increase in the check-in counters and taking steps to reduce the waiting time at the airport.

Manthri Radharani and her relatives waited at the Rajahmundry Railway Station a couple of weeks ago to return to Duvvada by the Simhadri Express, which was supposed to arrive at Rajahmundry at 1.15 p.m. The train was delayed by nearly one-and-a-half hours and they had no inkling about the reason for the delay.
27/09/16 The Hindu

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The looming crisis in airport capacity

For the last one-and-a-half years, India has been the fastest growing air traffic market in the world.

In July, domestic air travel in India grew 26.2 per cent with China being the second-fastest growing domestic market (10.2 per cent traffic growth), according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Last year, the number of passengers travelling by air equalled the number of passengers that travelled in the air-conditioned coaches of the Indian Railways, according to GMR Group Chairman Airports Srinivas Bommidala.

So much for the good news. Here is the grim picture: the robust growth in air traffic has led to capacity constraints and increasing congestions at the Indian airports and a capacity shortage looms large, in terms of runway slots, parking bays or terminals, in the years to come.

As India is set to become the third-largest aviation market in the world in the next five to seven years, according to consultancy firm CAPA, it needs to come up with a firm plan to build 50 new airports at an investment of Rs.2.72 lakh crore to handle the growing air traffic. And it has to start planning now as the airport capacity constraint cannot be resolved overnight as it involves land acquisition, approvals and clearances, design, construction and urban planning, among others. At present, out of 125 airports managed by Airports Authority of India (AAI), 69 airports receive commercial flights. Let’s take the case of metro airports first.

Metro airports

Around 66.5 per cent of India’s total air traffic comes from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad airports. These six cities would require new airports by 2025-26 and in some cases, much earlier, CAPA said in its report titled ‘India’s Airport Capacity Crisis’ released early this year.

The fact that both Mumbai and Bangalore airports could be shut for operations simultaneously during much of the day-time early next year reflects the poor planning in terms of airport infrastructure.

“Major runway upgrades need to be planned more efficiently with less impact on traffic disruption,” said Kapil Kaul, CEO and Director, CAPA South Asia. “It is a systemic issue, reflecting the structural problems to do with airport planning,” according to him.
25/09/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu

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Govt clears four new airports worth Rs 2,300 crore

Four new airports worth Rs 2,288 crore have were approved by Steering Committee on Greenfield airports on Monday.

The Committee was headed by secretary, Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA), Govt of India.

The Committee recommended ‘in principle’ approval to 3 projects out and one in Telangana was recommended for a 'site clearance.'

The three airports in Andhra Pradesh include Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi (Nellore) and Orvakallu (Kurnool). The airport recommended for 'site clearance’ will come up in Kothagudem in Telangana.

The new International airport at Bhogapuram will be developed by the State Government under public-private partnership (PPP) mode at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 Crore to cater to 6.3 million passengers per annum (mppa) in the initial phase.
26/09/16 Z Business

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New airports to come up in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Civil aviation infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is all set to see a massive expansion with the approval accorded for four greenfield airports in the two neighbouring states. Andhra Pradesh gets three, including two to be developed on a public-private-partnership (PPP) basis, the Central government gave "site clearance" for the new airport to come up in Telangana.
The airports will be set up in Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi (Nellore) and Orvakallu (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh and at Kothagudem in Telangana.
"The airports entail investment of more than Rs. 2,000 crore and are expected to give a boost to the burgeoning civil aviation market in India, current the fastest-growing in the world. The new International airport at Bhogapuram will be developed by the State Government under PPP mode at an estimated cost of Rs.2200 crore to cater to 6.3 million passengers per annum (mppa) in the initial phase," the civil aviation ministry said in a statement on Monday.
26/09/16 S V Krishnamachari/International Business Times

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Land identified to make Bihta airport operational for flyers

The Patna district administration has identified 125.55 acres of land at Vishambharpur and Kutlupur and submitted the plan to the state's cabinet coordination department to develop Bihta airport for civil aviation purposes. The plan is to develop a civil enclave which will have terminal building, parking lot, cargo and apron besides other facilities for flyers. The runway and air traffic control (ATC) service of the present Bihta airport will be used for civil aircraft landing and take-off.
"We have finalized and submitted the land map plan and waiting for the go-ahead from the cabinet coordination committee, which deals with the civil aviation matters in the state. Once we get the nod, the land acquisition process will be initiated and rates will be finalized as per the new state land acquisition policy," Patna DM Sanjay Kumar Agarwal told TOI on Sunday. Once the land acquisition plan is approved, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) would come up with its map to develop a civil enclave for the airport, he said. The DM, however, said it was yet not clear whether the state or central government would bear the cost of land to be acquired for the purpose.
AAI sources said the Indian Air Force would need to spare only three acres of land from the Bihta base for the civil enclave. They also said the land identified for the proposed civil enclave was only 500 metres away from NH-30.
26/09/16 Debashish Karmakar/The Times Of India

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Khed Chakan belt should b e reconcidered for Pune airport project, MP to CM Devendra Fadnavis

IN THe wake of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing that Purandar will be the chosen site for Pune’s new airport, Shirur Lok Sabha MP Shivaji Adhalrao Patil has said that he is set to meet Fadnavis next week and ask the government to reconsider Khed Chakan belt for the airport project.
The MP reasoned that the belt would be more feasible for industrialists and the air traffic.
“I agree that the survey has found Purandar land feasible for the airport, but what is the point of having an airport that would not see much air traffic. What about the economical viability as well as feasibility in terms of people using the airport?”questioned the MP.
He said that although there has been a 15-year delay, the sites were finalised in the area and the government had got in over 3,000 crore investment to the Khed belt, giving the upcoming airport as the bait for the deals.
26/09/16 Nisha Nambiar/The Indian Express

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Shirdi Airport to open in November

The Economic Times reported Vishwas Patil, managing director of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), as saying that development work is drawing to a close, and that the airport should be ready in approximately five to six weeks’ time.

“Work on Shirdi airport is in the final stages. The air traffic control will be ready by the first week of November. It is set to be launched any time after November 1,” Patil told reporters.

The INR3.25 billion (US$49 million) Shirdi Airport will have a single 2,500-metre-long runway and a 3,000m² terminal building. Located approximately 14km from Shirdi, it will serve the large number of pilgrims to travel to the city to visit the Sai Baba Shrine.
26/09/16 Mark Elliott/Travel Daily India

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Facilities at Chandigarh International Airport ‘sub-standard’, need to be ‘upgraded’: Punjab & Haryana High Court-appointed team

The existing facilities at the Chandigarh International Airport are “sub-standard” and need to be “upgraded”, concluded a team of advocates on Sunday after holding an “extensive” inspection of the airport.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday had directed a team of advocates to carry out inspection of the airport on Sunday and submit a report on October 5. The directions were issued after the court came to know that the basic facilities at the airport are still even “less than ordinary”.
The high court had appointed senior advocate M L Sareen as amicus curiae to assist the court. The team also included petitioner Mohali Industries Association’s senior counsel Puneet Bali and the counsel appearing in the court for Centre, Punjab and Haryana governments. The team arrived at the airport at 4.30 pm and continued the inspection till 7.30 pm.
After the inspection, Sareen said that an “extensive” inspection was carried out and it was found that there were “no proper facilities” and the existing facilities needed to be upgraded.
“We spent three hours at the airport. We observed everything from the arrival point to the departure. We checked everything,” Sareen told Chandigarh Newsline. “A lot of facilities have to be provided by the airport and other facilities have to be upgraded. Their future plan is very good and it will be a really good international airport. I will submit the report on October 5 as directed by the court.”
26/09/16 Adil Akhzer/The Indian Express

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Delhi airport: Facial recognition planned to stop illegal entry

Security agencies and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security are planning a massive overhaul to stop entry of unauthorized people into the Indira Gandhi International airport premises. As part of this plan, they may ask airlines to request flyers for a digital photo identification while booking tickets so that it can be given to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
As per this plan, the airline database will be uploaded in e-boarding facial recognition machines, which would automatically raise an alarm if a passenger who is not supposed to fly that day tries to enter the terminal. More than 30 people have been arrested this year for sneaking inside IGI premises. Two of them were also found carrying a pistol and live cartridges.
Sources said that such machines are already being used on a trial basis and may be installed soon at all entry gates manned by CISF personnel. This technology is currently in use at sensitive airports abroad, including Israel.
An officer said that the system was approved for use at IGI and other major airports in India after a detailed study. "A trial is being conducted on the equipment. If it proves successful and hassle-free, such machines may be brought in use next year. To make this plan a success, cooperation between the airlines and security agencies is required. Once approved for installation, a tender would be taken out," the officer said.
Unauthorised entry to the airport premises is a major concern for security agencies.
26/09/16 Anvit Srivastava/The Times Of India 

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Chennai metro reaches airport

The second phase of the Chennai metro opened on September 21 when Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu flagged off the inaugural train at Chennai International Airport.

The 8·6 km section of the Blue Line runs between Little Mount and the airport with four intermediate stations. Interchange with the north-south Green Line is provided at Alandur.
26/09/16 Railway Gazette

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Air India organised programme to boost women career in aviation sector

Air India along with Women in Aviation (WAI) organised a programme “Girls in Aviation Day” on September 24, 2016 at the Air India Regional Training Centre in Mumbai to showcase the aviation and aerospace domains to girls in the age group of 13 to 18 years.

Three sessions on airline, engineering and airport-related career options were taken up for presentation by a team of women aviation professionals from across the various departments.

The programme was attended by girl students from various schools and NGOs.

WAI is an international, professional, non-profit organisation dedicated to the career advancement of women in the field of aviation and related interests.

Mukesh Bhatia, Regional director (Western Region), Air India was the chief guest at the function.

He said that, “Aviation is a challenging sector for young women armed with proper skills training and education, who are interested in pursuing a career in this field. Air India has the biggest women workforce of about 3800 women employees including women pilots, cabin crew, engineers, technicians, doctors, security personnel, duty managers, and executives in various fields, on its rolls. Besides, women have also been given opportunities to grow and excel in all spheres.”

He hoped that the students would use the knowledge imparted in the various sessions to learn as much as they can and take informed decisions on their career choice in different areas of aviation.
24/09/16 Stattimes

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Indian aviation sector takes off in a big way as air traffic rises

The aviation scenario in India is going through an impressive boom and is experiencing unprecedented growth. In fact, the growth in the past 10 years has eclipsed that in the past 50 years. Over the course of the past decade, domestic airport traffic has jumped from 51 million passengers to 169 million passengers, while international airport traffic has gone up from 22 million passengers to 55 million passengers. Interestingly, the number of domestic airport traffic in the past 10 years is about three times that of the domestic airport traffic in the past 50 years.

Reflecting this growth, IndiGo Airlines was the fastest growing over the past year and had an increase of 28% in seat capacity. With a 40% market share, IndiGo continues to dominate and may well touch the 50% mark soon.

India’s international traffic also has the potential to double in size in the next five years. This growth will be subject to the opening up of bilateral air services. Bilaterals remain a key issue in geo-political relations for India, specifically with Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

At present, India has more than 430 aircraft in service, and 783 on order. Apart from this, an additional 250-300 orders remain in the pipeline from SpiceJet and Vistara. This ratio of orders to in-service aircraft are the highest out of all major markets around the world.

However, to back up this growth, there needs to be adequate infrastructure. Despite the seemingly happy state of the sector, there are a few factors that may cause it to stumble soon.

The reduction in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices has trickled down to the consumer as airlines are reducing ticket prices. This has resulted in a high footfall. In fact, the increase in traffic in the past 18 months has been largely due to a decrease in fuel costs.

To keep up with the burgeoning traffic, a capacity crisis is very likely if 50 airports are not constructed in the country over the next decade. More investment in airports and airspace capacity is needed. Increased traffic without the required infrastructure can result in poor passenger experience and service levels. At present, most of the top 10 airlines are achieving year round load factors of 90% or higher, indicating constrained capacity. Consistent traffic growth of 20% for 3-5 years will consume scarce capacity without significant productivity improvements at both AAI (Airports Authority of India) and PPP (Public Private Partnership) airports.

Traffic is expected to grow by about 20% during the financial years of 2017, 2018. During the next 18-24 months, airlines in India are expected to add 100 more aircraft. Airlines must remain aware of these constraints and plan their expansion accordingly.

In 2004-2008, the profitless growth in the aviation industry was a big blow. The growth during that period was exposed after a fuel price spike. Since the aviation sector is a much bigger animal now, a blow such as that will result in a greater fall this time around.
25/09/16 Anubhav Parsheera/Sunday Guardian Live

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Expansion push: AAI to hire 1,200 people across various functions

State-owned Airports Authority of India has stepped up hiring after a gap of nearly five years to support its expansion plans. The AAI is set to hire around 1,200 people by the end of this year across functions such as air traffic control, corporate affairs, legal and technical departments.
“We are hiring across functions to keep up with the growth of the organisation and plan to add around 1,200 employees this year,” AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra told The Indian Express.
The current staff strength of the authority, which has training centres for its employees at Delhi, Allahabad, Gondia, Hyderabad and Kolkata, is around 18,000. It has 125 airports across the country of which about 95 are operational, with 71 having scheduled commercial operations.
The authority’s staff requirement would rise as it implements its capital expenditure plan and builds low cost airports in the country. It has lined up a capex of Rs 17,500 crore to be spent by 2019, most of which will be funded through external accruals while the authority may go to the market to raise resources in the last year of its capex cycle. The AAI earned revenues of Rs 10,824 crore in 2015-16, and profit before tax of Rs 3,697 crore.
25/09/16 Sunny Verma/The Indian Express

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'Partial' take-off for airport handover - GLOBAL BIDS TO RUN 2

The Airports Authority of India is set to outsource the running of two airports in a "cautious" take-off on a phased privatisation scheme the earlier government had conceived before the Narendra Modi regime put it on hold.

Sources said the AAI, the civil aviation ministry's arm that operates airports, would see how the "partial privatisation" - that involves operations and management - works with Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports before extending the plan.

AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said global bids from private players for running the two airports would be invited in November. "We will first see how the plan goes in the case of these two airports, and then decide about other airports," Mohapatra said.

The UPA government had handed over Delhi and Mumbai airports to private companies on a public-private-partnership model about a decade back. It had then allowed private operators to build new airports in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin and shut down the old airports there.

The UPA had also proposed handing over the airports in Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur on a PPP model#for an infrastructure upgrade. But the AAI employees' union had opposed the proposal amid concerns that the earlier transfers of airport ownership had resulted in human resource related issues.

After the change of guard in 2014, the aviation ministry had indicated that it was scrapping the UPA plan to privatise airports one by one. AAI insiders, however, said the government had now revised its stand following airport-linked financial losses year after year. "But we are being cautious. Instead of asking private companies to build and modernise airports, we are only offering to hand over operations and maintenance," an AAI official said, adding the modalities were being discussed with the finance ministry.

According to the aviation ministry's annual report, over 100 airports, including those in most state capitals, had incurred cumulative losses of around Rs 1,225 crore during 2015-16, and only eight airports had earned profits.
24/09/16 The Telegraph

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Air India to reinstate its service for Agra

Five months after stopping flight service to Agra, Air India is set to resume it. The service, which will be three days a week - on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons - will begin from October 1 and continue till May 2017 and will involve Airbus A320s, which have a capacity of 120 passengers each.
Speaking to TOI, Rajiv Singh, manager of Air India in Agra, said, "Considering the tourist season, Air India is set to reinstate its flight service for Agra. The flight will take off from New Delhi and will cover nearly 800 km to Varanasi, before it heads for Agra, covering another 610 km. The flight will reach Agra at around 1:55 pm and will take off for a 450 km-long journey to Khajuraho at 2:30 pm."
The flight will again cover 311 km to Varanasi before returning to New Delhi.
Constant efforts have been made by the state government to make an international airport in Agra in order to increase the flow of tourists, but it has been overtaken by the central government's project to build an international airport in Jewar, nearly 150 km from Agra, in order to shift the air traffic from the overburdened New Delhi airport. The civil aviation ministry has cleared a proposal for an international airport in Jewar.
Last year, in November, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union ministers, stating that his government wants to build airports at Jewar and Agra. The letter said the state government had sufficient funds to make necessary arrangements and buy land for the projects but sought support from the Centre.
However, as per the Airports Authority of India (AII) norms, two greenfield airports cannot be built within 150 km of each other, unless one is overburdened. The distance between Agra and Jewar is less than 150 km.
Prabhakar Mishra, airport director of AAI at civil air terminal in Kheria said, "AAI had selected a Chennai-based environmental engineering and consultancy organization named ABC Techno Labs India to conduct an environmental impact assessment survey of seven civil enclaves including Agra, Meerut, Moradabad, Bareilly, Kanpur, Faizabad and Allahabad, but at present the state government has not even provided us land for a civil air terminal in Agra."
In 2012, the state government allotted Rs 134 crore for the acquisition of 55 hectares of land in Dhanauli area, of which till date only 4 hectares have been acquired.
24/09/16 The Times Of India

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CISF suspends official for IGI security breach

Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, suspended one of its men for the lapse on Tuesday that allowed a man to gain unauthorised entry into the active area by scaling the perimeter wall. CISF is also investigating whether this was indicative of a larger failure of the Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS).
This is the second such incident of the kind after March 2014, when a 16-year-old boy had scaled the boundary wall close to the Kapashera crossing and walked undetected almost up to an active runway.
nvestigators are trying to determine whether Tuesday's snafu was due to the airport-managed PIDS failing to sound an alarm or whether it was carelessness on the part of personnel deployed at the Security Operations Control Centre.
A few weeks ago, Dr Arvind Gupta, deputy national security advisor, had visited IGIA and expressed concerns about PIDS, which has remained controversial since its installation in 2012. In a statement issued earlier, the Delhi International Airport Ltd, which operates the airport, said a joint DIAL-CISF exercise in May soon after the Pathankot terror attack had proved the efficacy of the system. However, CISF sources confided that PIDS continued to generate false alarms and was not fully reliable.
25/09/16 Anvit Srivastava/The Times Of India

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Global help for Mangalagiri airport

The Cabinet decision to develop airport at Mangalagiri in an extent of 5,000 acres is a move to attract investors across the globe to take part in the development of new state capital Amaravati. On the same lines, it has decided to develop the runway at Visakhapatnam airport.

“As part of increasing air connectivity from all major cities in the state to international destinations, the state government has initiated these steps,” industry experts said.

While welcoming the Cabinet’s decision to go for an MoU with the Airports Authority of India and the Union Government to develop infrastructure in civil aviation sector and also to increase regional connectivity, industry experts forecast the likelihood of air traffic from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam increasing by 200 per cent in the coming two decades.

“Keeping in view proximity to South East Asian nations and countries like Singapore and Australia, the government is strategically taking these steps,” they said.

In fact, the government has directed the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) to start scouting for land for the proposed new international airport. The plan to have a separate international airport within the capital city area comes at a time when it is trying hard to get international tag for Gannavaram airport, 25 km away from the capital city.

It is learnt the government is planning to locate the new airport somewhere near Tadikonda, about 20 km from the riverbank in Amaravati.

Last year, municipal administration minister P. Narayana had said urban planners were taking up a study with the assistance of aviation experts to find a suitable location.
25/09/16 Patri Vasudevan/Deccan Chronicle

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Bomb threat at Madurai airport

Police are questioning two people after a letter allegedly written by them, threatening to explode a bomb at the Maduri Airport, was received by the airport authorities on Thursday.
25/09/16 The Times Of India

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Bapat holds meeting on widening of approach roads to Lohegaon airport

District guardian minister Girish Bapat has told the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Airport Authority of India (AAI) to work in coordination for the proposed work of widening approach roads to the Lohegaon international airport.
Bapat said that flight operations have gone up at the Lohegaon airport. Daily footfall has been up which has led to an increased in vehicular traffic. The approach roads to the airport are narrow which is leading to frequent traffic jams. The authorities should work together to widen these roads to ensure free flow of vehicles, Bapat said. The minister held a meeting with top officials of PMC and AAI to discuss the infrastructural issues in Lohegaon airport area. He held a detailed discussion on the road expansion proposals prepared by PMC.
24/09/16 Sarang Dastane/The Times Of India

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Non-aero revenue: Airports Authority looks to ‘cash in’ on its spare city land

Following a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office, the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to monetise the city-side portion of its total land bank of around 55,000 hectares across the country. This is expected to significantly boost the non-aero revenue of the AAI as it would lease the city side land for purposes such as hotels, warehouses and cold storage.
“We have around 55,000 hectares of land across the country. Not all of this can be monetised, but we are looking at monetising the city side land, which comprises about 30-35 per cent of the total land bank,” AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said on Tuesday. The AAI has already initiated the process of monetising city side land at Bhubaneswar airport.
Mohapatra said the AAI has got the mandate from the PMO and Niti Aayog for monetising spare land. The AAI earned revenues of Rs 10,824 crore in 2015-16, and profit before tax of Rs 3,697 crore.
The AAI will monetise its land by leasing it out to private companies, giving it on a revenue share basis and through a combination of leasing and revenue sharing. It doesn’t plan to have any management control in the entity that will be taking the land on lease or on revenue share basis.
Non-aero revenue: Airports Authority looks to ‘cash in’ on its spare city land.
22/09/16 Indian Express

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To decongest Mumbai airport, 6-year-old plan to extend Juhu runway into sea revived

Mumbai: With Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) running at capacity and Mumbai facing an aerial impasse in terms of growth of connectivity, the state government has been forced to dust off a six-year-old proposal of extending Juhu airport's runway into the sea. For years, authorities have been hoping—without any success —to divert small planes, charters and private jets to Juhu by extending the runway and free up valuable slot at the city airport for bigger passenger jets.
"We have recently appointed a consultant to study the feasibility of extending Juhu runway into the sea. (On the land side), there are slums," Airports Authority of India chairman Guruprasad Mahapatra said on Tuesday.
Freeing up slum land is next to impossible and the state has been struggling to do so at CSIA too as the dwellings there have been identified as a serious security threat. But successive governments have failed to do so.
"We are seeing if non-scheduled and private planes can operate from Juhu. We hope to get the report soon so that some decision can be taken," said Mohapatra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer who took over as AAI chief two months back.
21/09/16 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Punjab & Haryana fight over name of Chandigarh airport again

There is actually a lot to a name - especially when it comes to naming structures after political and national heroes in India.

This is evident from the political slugfest that's currently going on between Punjab and Haryana over the naming of the Chandigarh International Airport, which finally became operational with a flight to Sharjah last week.

This time around, it is the Punjab government, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, which has hijacked the issue by coming out with full page advertisements in newspapers containing the name 'Mohali International Airport'.

This has not gone down well with his Haryana counterpart, Manohar Lal Khattar, who belongs to SAD's ally BJP. Khattar has taken exception to the Punjab government's move to call the airport 'Mohali International Airport' in its advertisements.
This is not the first time that the naming of the Chandigarh airport has become a political issue between Punjab and Haryana, which share the Union Territory as their capital.

It was only in March 2016 that the two sides had agreed to name it after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. This had come after six months of squabbling, ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the civil air terminal on 11 September 2015.
20/09/16 Rajeev Khanna/Catch News

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Don’t politicise naming of Chandigarh International Airport

Chandigarh: Urging parties to restrain from politicising the naming of the Chandigarh International Airport, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Tanwar Wednesday said that the airport should be named as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport as it has already been decided.
The renaming of the airport has led to tussle between the Punjab and Haryana with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar opposing the decision by the Punjab government to put up posters and hoardings of Mohali International Airport when the first flight to Sharjah took off.
Claiming that the Punjab government should not have such a step, Tanwar,while addressing a press conference, said, “The new terminal was constructed as an extension of the Chandigarh airport. A decision was taken to name the airport after Bhagat Singh. Why was the name changed? The Punjab government is indulging in such politics with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections. Even on the issue of providing water to Haryana, politics is being done.”
22/09/16 Indian Express

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Manipur: Imphal Intl Airport to be renamed as Bir Tikendrajit International airport

The state government has decided to name the Imphal International airport as Bir Tikendrajit International airport and recommended the same to the ministry of Civil Aviation, according to a statement of the Transport commissioner.

The statement said the issue of development of the international airport at Imphal which was formerly known as Tulihal Airport was discussed during a state cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today.

It said many people of the state had expressed their desire to name this airport after the name of one of the greatest personalities of the state as done in the major civilian airports in India viz Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, Netaji Subhashchandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati.
22/09/16  Imphal Free Press/Northeast Today

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Airport security got different meaning post 9/11 attack: HC

New Delhi: Airport security has acquired a different meaning since September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack in New York in which around 2,900 people had died, as it has taught that aircraft could be used as weapons of mass destruction, the Delhi High Court has said.

The court's observation came as it dismissed the plea of an entity providing services to Emirates Airline passengers at the IGI airport here challenging government's decision denying security clearance to it on the ground of adverse report received from security agency.

The court said it does not find "any error" in denial of security clearance to the entity, M/s Add Lounge Services Pvt Ltd, as "larger public interest has to prevail over private interest".

"Airport security since September 11, 2001 incident, leading to the fall of World Trade Center in New York, has acquired a different meaning. The same has taught humanity that aircraft can be used as weapons of destruction not only of those travelling therein but also of others i.E. Of mass destruction of those to whom they may be diverted," Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
20/09/16 Business Standard

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New airport groundwork to take off next month

Navi Mumbai: Work on construction of the Navi Mumbai international airport (NMIA) is set to start next month, almost two decades after a second international airport for Mumbai was proposed. The state government wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to perform the bhoomi pujan for the Rs 16,500 crore project in the last week of October.
According to sources, Cidco, the nodal authority, has made a proposal to this effect and the Devendra Fadnavis government is trying to ensure Modi's presence for the inauguration of the project that has been bedevilled by various issues — from villagers' protests over compensation to a plethora of clearances.
In mid-October, work will start on mobilizing resources, men, material and machinery for the cutting of the Ulwe hill and diversion of the Ulwe river. But the actual infrastructure work will start only after the bhoomi puja, a Cidco official said.
The hill cutting and river diversion will be a major part of the Rs 4500-5000 crore first phase of the airport development by a strategic partner — the financial bid for strategic partner is in the final stages. The other work that will be part of the first phase is the construction of the runways, terminal building, ATC and hangars.
22/09/16 Sanjay Banerjee/Times of India

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Land owners’ cooperation sought for airport expansion

Coimbatore: Expressing concern over the delay in acquiring 633 acres for the first phase of the airport expansion works for more than 13 years, Coimbatore International Airport Director G. Prakash Reddy sought cooperation from land owners to expedite the works.

Mr. Reddy said that the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is ready with nearly Rs. 700 crore for the expansion project. He was addressing reporters in connection with the issues pertaining to acquiring land and delay over the construction of a compound wall for the 60.95 acres of leased land.

He said that the construction of the compound wall for the leased land would commence before the end of this month. Speaking about the protest by the land owners citing delay in paying the dues, Mr. Reddy said that the talks by the district administration with landowners has been fruitful and the wall will be constructed in two months.

“Only after construction of a compound wall we will be able to utilise the space for construction,” he said.

On claims by land owners that payment of lease was due for one-and-a-half years to five years, the airport director said that lease amount will not be paid since 3(1) notification to acquire the land was issued.

The date of issuance of the notification varied from place to place between 2013 and 2014.
22/09/16 The Hindu

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Pune: Eyes on Cochin airport model for a smooth rehab

Pune: With the ground level obstacle survey set to be taken for the proposed airport in Purandar taluka of Pune district, the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has asked the district administration to study feasible models of rehabilitation for a smooth land acquisition process to speed up the project.
With the state government keen to avoid any forcible land acquisition if the Purandar site is finalised, the Pune district administration is evaluating “feasible rehabilitation models”, especially the Cochin international airport model which has been a trendsetter in offering a rehabilitation package to those affected by the project. Pune district collector Saurabh Rao said the survey would be undertaken soon and the district administration was looking at various models of ideal rehabilitation.
“We have established contact with the Cochin airport officials. We will study the model in detail and share it with villagers so that there is absolutely no doubt in their minds. For any land acquisition, there are several hurdles. If there are schemes to benefit the landholders, the process becomes easier. With a feasible model, the land acquisition and the entire project could be expedited,” said Rao.
The Cochin airport model became a case study for the World Bank for its unique rehabilitation package, which included freehold title of six per cent of the developed property to the 719 people whose land was acquired, alternative land in some cases and jobs to the project affected, among other benefits.
Additional Chief Secretary of Kerala V J Kurien, who was the then Managing Director for the Cochin international airport and earlier collector, said the rehabilitation was carried out in the period of 1996-99.
21/09/16 Nisha Nambiar/Indian Express

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Chennai Metro Rail adds service to airport

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today inaugurated metro rail service (through video conference) from Chennai Airport to Little Mount in the presence of Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan.

The St Thomas Mount metro station, which is Corridor II of the project, was also inaugurated. Operations on Corridor I on the lower level of the Alandur metro station will also commence from today, she said.

She had already inaugurated 10.15-km elevated section from Koyambedu to Alandur on June 29, 2015. Passenger operations on the 1.28-km stretch from Alandur to St Thomas Mount will commence shortly after obtaining clearance from the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety. With that, the entire 20 km elevated section of the project would become operational, she said.

Trains will run from Koyambedu to St Thomas Mount, connecting with suburban train services at St Thomas Mount and with mofussil and other bus services at Koyambedu. Very soon, direct trains will be run on the loop line available at Alandur so that direct train connections can be provided from Koyambedu to the airport, without the passengers having to change at Alandur, she said.

The share of public transport in Chennai will be substantially enhanced with seamless integration of buses, suburban train services, air services, metro rail and eventually the monorail, she said.
21/09/16 Business Line

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BCAS probing man with 2 airport passes

Mumbai: Acting on a complaint, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is investigating how an official of a ground handling company received a second airport entry pass (AEP) in the name of another ground-handling company without surrendering his first. As per rules, one can’t get a pass until they have submitted their previous one.
BCAS on September 8 received a complaint against the duty handler from a body “Cambata Aviation Private Limited Company’s Employees Union”. According to the complaint, the duty handler, whose name is being withheld due to the ongoing probe, retained the permit of Cambata Aviation Private Limited and also acquired a second permit in the name of his current employer – BWFS ground handling company.
“There are many employees recruited by BWFS from Cambata whose previous passes of Cambata have not been surrendered while they have been issued new passes of BWFS,” read the complaint. The letter claimed that many people had been recruited without verification or police no objection certificates while the same were needed as part of civil aviation security norms.
21/09/16 Ashita Dadheech/Asian Age

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22 airports to get connected under regional connectivity scheme: AAI

New Delhi: About 22 airports to get connected under regional connectivity scheme in the first phase, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman G P Mohapatra told media persons today.

"In the first phase, there are 22 airports that are already in place and flights can start as and when airlines plan to," said Mohapatra.

About 22 airports include one is in Andaman Nicobar, three in Assam, two each in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

As part of the plan, the government plans to connect these underserved airports to key airports through flights that will cost Rs 2,500 for per hour flight.
20/09/16 Mihir Mishra/Economic Times

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AAI plans land monetisation; to increase non-aero revenues

New Delhi: Working on ways to increase its revenues, Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to partially monetise around 55,000 hectares of land owned by it in urban areas.

The proposed move is part of AAI's larger efforts to enhance non-aeronautical revenues, which currently account for around 19 per cent of its annual top line.

In his first media interaction after taking over as chairman of the national airports operator here today, Guruprasad Mohapatra outlined the future road map for AAI, which has envisaged a capital expenditure of Rs 17,500 crore over the five year period till March 2020.

"We have a huge chunk of land on the city side which we have not been able to monetise... That is where we are focusing now," he said.

Land is proposed to be utilised for commercial activities, including for hospitality business and warehousing.
20/09/16 PTI/Business Standard

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Mumbai airport runway to be closed for repair in Oct-Nov

Flight operations at the Mumbai airport will come to a complete halt for five hours on Mondays and Thursdays between October 31 and November 28 due to repair work on the runways.
Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd., which owns and operates the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, said that both the intersecting runways will remain closed from noon to 5 p.m. on both days to undertake carpeting work for strengthening the runway. “We will undertake micro-surfacing of the runways, and airlines have been informed in advance to plan their winter schedule accordingly,” said a senior official of the Mumbai airport.
20/09/16 The Hindu

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Bombay HC refuses stay order on demolition of top floors of building near airport

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to stay its order directing demolition of top three floors of a residential building near the international airport in Mumbai due to height regulation violations. A division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade dismissed an application filed by SAILEE Developers Pvt Ltd, which is constructing the six-storey building, seeking stay on the HC order.
“The developer had endangered the life of not only those people who travel by flights but also of the occupants of the building. The developer committed fraud by misrepresenting facts before the concerned authorities and procured NOC,” the court said. On the last few hearings in the case, the court had said zero tolerance would be adopted for any kind of construction violative of height rules near both domestic and international airports in the city. The court had asked BMC to demolish the fourth, fifth and sixth floors of the building.
The bench was on Tuesday informed that demolition of a water tank on the terrace of the building is over and demolition process of the fifth and sixth floor was on. Advocate Rizwan Merchant, appearing for the developer, urged the court to grant them a last chance and approach the BMC for re-verification of the height.
20/09/16 PTI/Indian Express

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Srinagar airport runway damaged after MiG-21 overshoots while landing

All flights at Srinagar airport had to be halted today after a MiG 21 plane of the Indian Air Force overshot while landing.
Authorities at the airport said the plane stopped 200 metres short of the runway, which is now damaged.
The pilot was able to eject himself out safely.
"The tyres of an Indian Air Force MIG-21 fighter jet caught fire while landing and the plane skidded off the runway at Srinagar airport today," the official told IANS.
20/09/16 Siddharth Tiwari/India Today

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Mopa: GMR gets letter of award

Panaji: GMR Airports Limited that won the bid to build the international greenfield airport at Mopa, was issued the letter of award by the state government on Saturday.While the project is likely to cost over 4,500 crore, the first phase of the project is estimated at 3,100 crore, including escalations.Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday said he has cleared the Mopa airport file.Director of civil aviation Suresh Shanbhogue told TOI that the cabinet approved the letter of award on Saturday. It was issued to GMR on the same day. "The firm has to convey its acceptance within seven days of the date of issue of letter of award," he said and added that within 45 days of the issue of the letter, the firm has to sign a concession agreement with the government."GMR has to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to take the construction of the Mopa airport forward, after which the government will sign the concession agreement," Shanbhogue said.
20/09/16 Times of India

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Hazaribag airstrip land ploughed

Ranchi: MoS, Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha, who also happens to be Hazaribagh MP had announced two months ago that soon the denizens of Hazaribagh will get air connectivity from their hometown. He had directed the district administration to take the matter of Hazaribagh airstrip land seriously and to pursue the matter pending in the court. On his initiative last month, a team of senior officials of civil aviation department had arrived here and had made a massive survey of the area.

On one hand, Sinha is trying his best to give a gift to Hazaribagh and one another hand due to dullness of district administration some persons have started preparing the land suitable for agriculture.

With the tractors they have ploughed the major part of the land for the last three days and no one from district administration has yet visited the site or tried to stop the ongoing work.

The district administration had acquired a piece of land situated in Nagwan village some 50 years ago for Hazaribagh airstrip. Major portion of the land was acquired without any dispute but for some portion dispute is going on in the court.

For the last five decades that piece of land is vacant and is used by district administration time to time for landing of small aircraft, planes, helicopters etc. Besides this the district administration also uses it every year for air sports.
20/09/16 Pioneer

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Airport Authority of India working on priority basis for starting day flights

Kolhapur: Initiating steps towards starting day operation flights from the Kolhapur airport, the officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI) spoke with member of parliament Dhananjay Mahadik on Monday about the ongoing developments.
"V S P Chinchan, general manager of Aero drum, western division and A Razaq, in charge of the Kolhapur Airport have provided the details about the work of developing a low cost airport, according to the government's plan," Mahadik said.
"There are some stringent parameters set by the directorate of general, civil aviation (DGCA) and we are preparing to fulfil them. The construction of a compound wall, terminal building and an isolation bay will also be initiated soon. Other facilities like the procession approach path indicator lights and runway end safety area also need to get permission to start day flights. AAI officials have assured us that they will initiate the work soon and after fulfilling the norms, we will get the approval to start scheduled flights," Mahadik said.
20/09/16 Vivek Waghmode/Times of India

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Security at Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport hits insecure wall

Bhubaneswar: Every time there is a terror attack on any major establishment, the airports across the country are put on high alert. The attack on Army Brigade headquarters at Uri near the Line of Control is the latest case. However, security at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) remains a concern due to several sensitive spots on the boundary around the runway and permeable points on entry and exit routes.

The BPIA has been classified as 'sensitive' to consistent threat perception. The situation demands foolproof security and implementation of constantly evolving techniques to safeguard the civil aviation operations. The security of the BPIA is looked after by CISF personnel headed by a Deputy Commandant. The Commissionerate of Police is entrusted with security of BPIA on the City side.

The IICs of Airfield, Capital, Shree Lingaraj, Khandagiri, and Dhauli police stations have been directed to intensify patrolling in the funnel zone coming under their respective jurisdictions. However, patrolling around the airport has not been 'intense' and continues to remain a normal routine affair.

While the cops have been asked to keep a close watch on the hamlets adjacent to the airport to prevent any untoward incident, three to four locations around the airport are sensitive and expose BPIA to the risk of infiltration. The new Jagamara-Baramunda road, which is close to the runway, has turned favourite spot for anti-socials at night. Besides, north-east corner is particularly vulnerable as it accommodates at least three slums.
20/09/16 Baibhav Mishra/New Indian Express

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Security tightened at airports

Thiruvananthapuram: Security in Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has been tightened in the wake of a terrorist attack in Army base in Jammu and Kashmir.

The elite Aviation Security Group (ASG) personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that guarded the premier airport of the State had been asked to be more vigilant and to keep a tab on the passengers and the visitors, a top AAI official said.

The airport had not recieved any security alert from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which controlled airports in the country, the official said. The ASG personnel guarding the airport and terminal buildings had been alerted to be more vigilant.

Our Staff Reporter writes from Kochi: Security has been intensified at the Cochin International Airport Limited in the wake of the terrorist attack at Uri.

Officials said the decision to shore up the security network followed an internal security review meeting by A.C.K. Nair, the Airport Director.

As part of it, the frisking of passengers inside the terminals has been intensified along with luggage inspection. The airlines will be asked to report to the security officials in case of a suspicious behaviour from any of the passengers on board.
20/09/16 The Hindu

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Security beefed up at Surat airport

Surat: Security agencies have stepped up vigilance at Surat airport at Magdalla in the wake of the attack by terrorists from Pakistan on an Indian Army base in Uri in Jammu & Kashmir on Sunday.
Surveillance and patrol teams along the periphery of the airport are extra cautious as passengers enter the terminal area unchecked. However, passengers are not being frisked or asked to remove their footwear as had been done after a terror strike at Brussels airport in March.
20/09/16 Times of India

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Residents seek relief for land acquired for Airport expansion

Coimbatore: A section of farmers and villagers today gheraoed the authorities of district administration and city airport, who had gone to SIHF colony here to erect a wall as part of Airport expansion work, seeking compensation for the land acquired for the project, police said.

As the officials arrived at the spot for constructing the wall, some 150 villagers and farmers rushed and prevented the officials from the carrying out the work, police said.

The villagers then told them that about 60 acres of land were acquired by the government for airport expansion three decades ago and compensation was yet to be paid for the same.

They also demanded that the government pay the compensation as per the prevailing market value in the area, police said.
19/09/16 PTI/Business Standard

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GVK´s Mumbai Airport settles slum rehabilitation dispute with HDIL

GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd. said it had settled the dispute between itself and Housing Development and Infrastucture Ltd (HDIL) related to the slum rehabilitation activities near the Mumbai International Airport.

"The parties have signed a settlement agreement dated 8th September, 2016 vide which they have irrevocably and unconditionaly withdrawn all their respective claims and counter- claims against each other," said GVK Power and Infrastructure.

The disputes stems from an agreement signed between MIAL and HDIL in 2007 for implementation of a slum rehabilitation project at the location of the Mumbai International Airport. GVK cancelled the agreement in 2013 over the terms and conditions.

The matter was referred to an arbitration panel, which has accepted the latest settlement.

"During the Arbitration Proceedings of the Arbitral Tribunal on July 25, 2016, urged both the Parties to attempt a settlement of the present dispute. In deference to the above direction of the Arbitral Tribunal, both the Parties have held discussions on various issues to put an end to the ongoing arbitration and have arrived at an amicable settlement by way of a Settlement Agreement," the companies said.
19/09/16 Devika Nithin/RTN

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Budget carriers refuse to shift from Delhi's Terminal 1D

New Delhi/Mumbai: The GMR-led Delhi International Airport’s (DIAL) major expansion plan faces a fresh hurdle, as low-cost carriers have opposed the move to shift base from Terminal 1D (T1D) to Terminal 2 (T2), citing operational constraints.

SpiceJet and GoAir, asked to shift to T2 from T1D, have opposed the move, citing passenger inconvenience. The no-frills carriers feel this will lead to drop in passenger count. While SpiceJet has sent out a missive to the airport consortium, GoAir has verbally communicated its decision to the airport operator. The resistance might lead to delay in DIAL’s expansion plans, given the private airport operator will have to convince the carriers or find a suitable alternative, before going ahead with the development work. At present, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir are based out of T1D.

DIAL had asked SpiceJet and GoAir to shift operations to T2, for it to be able to carry out construction work and airside development at T1D. In a letter to SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh, the airport operator had said all amenities will be provided to ensure seamless operation of the airline. “With SpiceJet having international operations, the airport operator had assured smooth transit for its passengers,” said a ministry official. But, SpiceJet officials say the airline had written to the airport operator, opposing the move.
17/09/16 Arindam Majumder & Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard

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Chandigarh airport embarks on global journey

At 5.15pm on Thursday (Sept 15), Chandigarh International Airport actually became international as a flight from Sharjah landed with 128 passengers onboard a 186-seater plane. At 6.35pm, an Air India Express plane carrying 182 passengers to Sharjah departed too, this being the first flight from this airport to a foreign destination.

Union civil aviation minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on the occasion that government-owned carrier Air India will start a flight to Singapore by March.

Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani added Bangkok to the list.

These will be thrice a week. Immediately next up, from September 26, IndiGo airlines will start a daily flight between Chandigarh and Dubai.
17/09/16 Indian Panorama

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Lucknow to Saudi Air India flights soon

New Delhi: Air India has decided to introduce a direct flight from Lucknow to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia from October, to meet a long-standing demand of people in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. The flights will be operated thrice a week.

The sale of tickets would commence once an announcement is made in this regard, said an Air India official.Passenger traffic to Saudi Arabia has risen exponentially over the years, especially the Haj traffic. Since UP contributes to a sizeable portion of this traffic, the direct connection would be a win-win proposition for passengers and pilgrims alike, who used to travel to Saudi via Delhi, the official said.

The move to introduce the international flights comes amidst the national carrier’s proposal to offer  connectivity from Lucknow to Dehradun, Patna and Delhi, considering the huge demand on these routes.
17/09/16 New Indian Express

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GMR-led Hyderabad airport operator seeks restraining orders against JV partner Menzies

Hyderabad: GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) has sought restraining orders against global ground services and cargo handling company Menzies, which is a joint venture partner of GMR for the cargo handling operations at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

In an arbitration application filed before the Hyderabad High Court, the airport operator has requested the judges to restrain Menzies Aviation Cargo (Hyderabad) Limited, Menzies' officials and affiliates from interfering with its business of the Cargo Terminal at the Hyderabad airport.

The airport company also urged the court to restrain Hyderabad Menzies Air Cargo Private Limited (HMACPL), which is a 51:49 joint venture between GMR group and Menzies, from paying benefits such as dividend arising out of the shareholder rights to Menzies till the disposal of the arbitration proceedings and the arbitration award. Further it has sought orders to restrain Menzies from even transferring or encumbering in any manner the shares held by Menzies Aviation Cargo (Hyderabad) Limited in HMACPL, which runs the cargo terminal.


While the reasons for the rift between the GMR-led airport company and Menzies could not be independently verified immediately, an official at Menzies Aviation India management office in Bengaluru refused to comment on the Indian partner's action.
16/09/16 B Dasarath Reddy/Business Standard

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Punjab government has lowered standard of international airport

Chandigarh: The war of words over the naming of the Chandigarh International Airport continued Friday, with Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij saying that the Punjab government had “lowered the standard of the airport by adding Mohali to the name.”
“If it was Chandigarh Airport, it denotes that the airport is located in a state capital. Calling it Mohali airport denotes only one city. This lowers the standard of the airport. Our government has already given consent to naming the airport after Bhagat Singh,” said Vij.
Vij added, “There is a need to have an entrance of the airport from the Chandigarh side as the residents of the city as well as those coming from Panchkula and outside to the airport are facing problems,” he said. Vij raised questions over the previous Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda paying Rs 200 crore as Haryana’s share in the airport. Vij said the BJP government would decide on the next course of action.
The naming of the airport has remained a bone of contention over the past several years with the governments of Punjab and Haryana not being in agreement. While it was finally decided that the airport should be named after Bhagat Singh, the Centre is yet to take a decision. In the meantime, the hoardings put up by Punjab government calling the airport Mohali International Airport has given rise to a new controversy.
17/09/16 Indian Express

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Barcode scanners at airport to plug security gaps

New Delhi: Barcode scanners will stand in the way of trespassers at Delhi airport's entry gates from next week following security scares over frequent incidents of people sneaking in with bogus e-tickets.
Authorities are introducing the pilot project close on the heels of intelligence warnings that in the absence of a biometric system the country's most sensitive airport was under serious threat.
According to the Central Industrial Security Force, responsible for guarding all commercial airports in India, 23 people managed to enter the facility with fake digital tickets in 2015 while the same number of incidents has been recorded in the first eight months this year.
An Italian national managed to slip into the airport using a forged e-ticket to see his girlfriend off on the eve of Independence Day when the area was on high alert. The man had a ticket to Moscow for August 16 but changed the date to the 15th using a photo-editing software in a bid to gain entry. He was later caught in the check-in area.
The barcode readers will allow airlines and CISF to track the movements of terminal building. The step was taken after the security force wrote to the ministry of civil aviation regarding concerns raised by misuse of e-tickets.
17/09/16 Ankur Sharma/Sidharth Tiwari

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Rajamahendravaram airport poised to spread wings of growth

Rajamahendravaram:In view of the growing importance of Rajamahendravaram airport as a centrally-located hub for VIP movements and as a nodal point for improved air connectivity with major cities in the country, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also initiating steps to augment and develop the airport in all respects.

Speaking to TNIE here on Friday, airport director M Raj Kishore said that the AAI and the State Government will sign an MOU on Regional Air Connectivity (RAC), which will enable expansion of air operations in the state. As part of the MoU, flights will be operated from Rajamahendravaram to cities like Visakhapatnam, Gannavaram, Tirupati and Kadapa.

He said that from September 23, True Jet will operate a new service between Rajamahendravaram and Bengaluru. The flights departs at 9.10 am and reaches Bengaluru at 11 am and will return at 1.10 pm.

 Similarly, a Hyderabad-Rajamahendravaram service will start at 7.30 am and reach at 9 am. Meanwhile, the departure timings of the last flight to Hyderabad from Rajamahendravaram have been changed to 5.20 pm from the current departure time of  4.45 pm.

At present, as many 12 flights are being operated from Rajamahendravaram to Hyderabad and Chennai. Because of the changed timings and increased connectivity, the passenger inflow has gone up from 13000 per month to 25000.
17/09/16 New Indian Express

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