New terminal at Bajpe set for trial runs

Mangalore: The trial run of flights at the new terminal of Bajpe airport will commence within a fortnight. The first trial run will take off with the domestic flight, which will be followed by an international flight within a week.
With the new terminal getting the finishing touches, airport authorities are hoping to iron out any last minute glitches with the trial run. The Rs 147 crore terminal is a `green building, which will require minimal lighting from 9 am to 5 pm due to its unique glass architecture, barring the monsoon.
The inauguration of the new terminal will probably be by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel. In view of the uncertainty over the inauguration, officials may operate the new terminal first and later inaugurate it.
Airport director Chandran told TOI the first trial run will be for the domestic flight and the passengers will be told in advance to arrive at the new terminal building. After the trial run for the domestic flight, a similar exercise will be carried out for an international flight when immigration facilities are put in place.
"Through the trial run we will be able to iron out glitches, if any," he said adding that a high level committee from Airports Authority of India (AAI), both from Chennai and New Delhi, will arrive soon to make a final assessment of the new terminal.
10/12/09 Stanley G Pinto/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Dec 2009