Begumpet Airport shutdown evokes anger

Hyderabad: From just five flights in 1977, Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport can now accommodate 300 flight takeoff and landings in a day.
With the new airport in the city ready to open on March 16, it will be departure time for the profit-making existing airport. It is something the employees think will be an unwise decision.
Madeen Khan, an employee at Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport for the last 31 years says, it is as though his home is forcefully being taken away.
With the airport likely to be shut down on Saturday night, some airlines have already begun to pack bags to move on to the new international airport in Shamshabad.
''When London and cities in America, Australia can have three airports in same city, why can't we? Why close down a profitable sector,'' said B Chatterji, Vice President, All India Airports Authority Employees Union.
The promoters of the new airport in Hyderabad, however say the MOU clearly says no airport can operate within 150 km radius of the new airport.
12/03/08 Radhika Iyer/NDTV.com

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Categories: Airports Mar 2008