Plea to expand Salem airport

Salem: Demands for the upgradation of landing aids, expansion of surface area and infrastructure and the introduction of cargo handling facilities at the Salem airport have gained momentum.
After 16 years of hibernation, the airport has become active with Kingfisher Airlines operating a flight between Chennai and Salem from November 15, 2009.
But facilities at the airport remain inadequate. The 6,000-feet runway that can handle smaller aircraft such as ATRs, which Kingfisher is operating now, needs to be expanded. The installation of sophisticated computerised systems for operational functions is also a need.
Highly placed sources told The Hindu that at present the airport was depending on an outdated beacon-type navigational system. Flights could not land at Salem in two instances owing to foggy conditions. As fly-by-wire systems now rule the sky, the installation of computerised navigational systems such as instrument landing systems has become imperative.
Salem District Small and Tiny Industries Association president K. Mariappan has sought air cargo handling facilities in Salem. He said several non-resident Indian entrepreneurs have evinced interest in such facilities.
The district administration conducted a survey and identified 563 acres of land adjacent to the airport for its expansion and the lengthening of the runway to 12,000 feet.
04/10/09 The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Feb 2010