Thiruvananthapuram: Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT), currently situated on the Airports Authority of India (AAI) land at Trivandrum International Airport, owes the AAI approximately Rs 28 lakh by way of overdue in traffic and land license fee. Ignoring the loss incurred to the AAI, the state government is planning to park seaplanes at the academy for free.
Although no formal request has been made to the RGAAT, it is learnt that the tourism department is looking at avenues to reduce operational cost for the seaplane project.
"We had suggested to the state government that the seaplane operators are welcome to use our hangar for maintenance, especially for Cessna aircraft. The maintenance could be carried out by our engineers who are familiar with a Cessna engine. We have five aircraft and two more are expected shortly," said executive vice-chairman of RGAAT V Thulasidas, indicating that the apron at the flying club is already a tight fit. Moreover, RGAAT's aircraft is currently parked on AAI land.
"RGAAT cannot sublet its current building and land, which is already on lease from the AAI. If the government wants to park seaplanes at RGAAT's current location for days at end, they need to obtain permission from us. Overnight charges will be applicable. We are constantly reminding the government-owned flying club to pay the Rs 28-akh arrears, and with money already owed to us, expecting free back-to-back parking for seaplane operators is unreasonable," said AAI regional executive director, southern region, Devaraj.
03/12/12 Sangeetha Nair/Times of India
