Coimbatore: Although the Union Government conferred international status to Coimbatore airport on Friday along with four others in the country, it seems to be more of a cosmetic tag than a prevailing reality. Forget about international air connectivity; domestic connectivity to the other metros including Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi, Kochi and Chennai is far from adequate. In addition, land acquisition for airport expansion remains a challenge that authorities cannot seem to overcome. Consequently, the operation of wide bodied and fat bellied international air buses from the city airport continues to remain a dream.
Coimbatore has only two international flights operating to Singapore and Sharjah. A previous operation to Colombo was discontinued about two years ago citing poor patronage. According to industry sources, most international flight operators refuse to include Coimbatore in their itinerary because of the absence of a runway that can accommodate the takeoff and landing of large air buses.
06/10/12 KA Shaji/Times of India
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Coimbatore has only two international flights operating to Singapore and Sharjah. A previous operation to Colombo was discontinued about two years ago citing poor patronage. According to industry sources, most international flight operators refuse to include Coimbatore in their itinerary because of the absence of a runway that can accommodate the takeoff and landing of large air buses.
06/10/12 KA Shaji/Times of India
