GMR to Create Facility for Private Planes

New Delhi: The GMR-led Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL) has invited express of interests (EoIs) from global companies for restructuring and setting up a dedicated aviation facility for private planes.
The number of private planes has increased by 22% in Delhi in 2007-08, with nearly 10,000 aircraft movement. About 100 aircraft are currently used for general aviation in India and the figure will triple in a couple of years. Currently there are limitations on the number of such planes allowed in peak hours to accommodate schedule commercial traffic, but that will soon be lifted once Delhi gets the third runway in a couple of months.
"We have invited EoI from globally renowned fixed base operators (FBO, who maintain general aviation facilities) to build and maintain an exclusive setup in Delhi, which will also include special lounges and conferencing facilities," said a GMR official. The FBO will also provide amenities like car rentals, charters, catering and hotel reservations.
DIAL's move comes within a month of the Centre clearing the policy of private airports and helipads. Already about 20 proposals for private airports/airstrips/helipads are likely to get clearance under the new rules across the country. But having private airports in big cities like Delhi and Bombay is not possible. So, general aviation facilities will have to be provided at the existing airports.
25/05/08 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India/RedOrbit, USA

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Categories: Airports May 2008, New May 2008