The take-off that never was

Hyderabad: It is problems galore for the country’s first greenfield international airport at Shamshabad. Though provisionally approved to commence commercial operations from today, and formally launched by none other than the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on March 14, the civil aviation ministry at the eleventh hour turned down its own approval. The reason given is that some of the airlines have sought more time due to ‘operational reasons’. However, the ministry did not elaborate what the phrase ‘operational reasons’ means. As of now there is no specific date given when commercial operations will begin.
Analysts however point out that the postponement is more to do with the issue of road connectivity to the airport. Passengers having to pass through long stretches of city roads which are always clogged is a hurdle the airport authorities still need to cross. Further, the absence of a star hotel within the airport village is another reason that is cited as a negative, as of now. Another issues is that the Director General Civil Aviation had given only provisional clearance to the operations, having found a big drain (about 105 ft away from the runway) as a security problem. Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organisation is also understood to have not given its final report on the subject.
According to industry sources, some of the airline Companies are still negotiating with the airport management on various charges including aircraft handling etc. Passengers are protesting over paying user charges (more than what is the charge in Begumpet, the existing airport) as also the steep transportation costs.
15/03/08 KVVV Charya/Financial Express

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Categories: Airports Mar 2008, New Mar 2008