Advani’s flight makes unscheduled landing in Hyderabad after technical snag

Hyderabad: An aircraft carrying senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani made an unscheduled landing at the old airport at Begumpet here Monday, after developing a technical snag.
Advani was on his way from New Delhi to Bangalore to campaign for BJP for the next month’s elections in Karnataka, party sources said.
The former deputy prime minister had to wait for nearly two hours at the airport before Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar reached the airport in his special aircraft. Advani later left for Bangalore in the chief minister’s plane.
30/04/13 First Post

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Green tribunal dismisses petition against Aranmula airport

Chennai:  The proposed KGS Aranmula International Airport in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala got a reprieve on Tuesday when the National Green Tribunal, Chennai Bench, dismissed a petition that challenged the project.
The petitioner had challenged the notification of the proposed airport site as an industrial belt and the no-objection certificate given by the state government for the project.
The present order also sets aside the interim order passed by the bench two weeks ago. In the interim order, the bench had stayed construction at the site.
The verdict is expected to speed up the project.
30/04/13 Jayaraj Sivan/Times of India

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Delhi cops grounded at Vadodara airport

Vadodara: Kapil Nagle, an accused in an online banking fraud, was arrested from the city on Monday and taken to the national capital by train, reportedly after an attempt to take him by air failed due to procedural lapses by the Delhi cops.
Nagle has been accused of siphoning Rs 70 lakh from the account of a Delhi-based company and transferring it to different accounts.
He was arrested from Soma Talav area on Dabhoi Road in the city on Sunday by Delhi police with the help of their city counterparts. Nagle was kept in the lockup of the Wadi police station and was brought out on Monday at around 4pm.
Delhi cops had obtained a transit warrant to take him.
30/04/13 Times of India

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Airlines challenge hike in charges at Mumbai airport

New Delhi: Federation of Indian Airlines and German carrier Lufthansa have challenged an order of airport economic regulator AERA approving hike in various aeronautical charges at Mumbai airport.
The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal will hear the petitions of Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) and Lufthansa on July 18.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) in a January 15, 2013, order had approved hike in various aeronautical charges such as landing, housing and parking, aerobridge and fuel throughput.
A three-member bench of the tribunal issued notice over condonation of delay to AERA, Airport Authority of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation and Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which operates Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport.
28/04/13 PTI/Economic Times

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Air India flight takes off without Tolly star

Kolkata: Actor Rituparna Sengupta was stranded at Delhi airport On Sunday after the Air India flight, on which she had a booking, took off without her. The airline claims that it did make several announcements and finally shut the boarding gates as per regulation when the passenger did not turn up. AI later endorsed her and another passenger on a Jet Airways flight to Kolkata.
The actress, who had gone to Delhi to host the programme celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema at the Siri Fort Auditorium on Saturday, reached the airport at 6am to take the 7am flight AI 401. After collecting her boarding pass and undergoing security check, she lazed around as there was adequate time at hand. "After pottering around for a while, I began moving towards the designated boarding gate. Just then, I experienced a bout of sickness and rushed into a restroom. I was violently ill for a while.
30/04/13 Times of India

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Airport theft turns glare on cameras

Siliguri: An SUV theft from the parking lot of Bagdogra airport yesterday has raised doubts about CCTV surveillance at the facility which is a security installation.
C.K. Shrestha, whose car was stolen, today alleged that when his family wanted to see CCTV footage to see the exit gate of the airport and check who had driven away the car, the airport authorities said they could not provide him with such footage.
He alleged that the airport authorities told his son Yash that the CCTV cameras on the premises were out of order when he wished to see the footage between 1pm and 2pm.
However, K. Bhowmik, the director of the Bagdogra airport, denied the charge that the CCTV cameras were not working.
“We have met the person concerned whose car was stolen from the parking lot and promised all necessary steps. It is not correct that CCTV cameras were not functioning at the airport,” Bhowmik said.
30/04/13 The Telegraph

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Nigerian held at airport for not declaring USD

Mumbai: A Nigerian was arrested from Mumbai international airport for allegedly not declaring that he was carrying USD 80,000 with him, a customs official said today.
As per rule, passengers carrying above USD 5,000 have to give declaration before the authorities.
The man, identified as Bello Almou, was frisked on Thursday after he passed through the green channel at the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus airport, the official said.
29/04/13 PTI/ZeeNews

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Land-locked Punjab to hop onto Boeings: Sukhbir Badal

Chandigarh: For a state, whose urban vacationers frequently set off to Macau and Jats zip between Majha and Doaba in their SUVs, airports with facilities for large aircraft like Boeing-747s and 4/6 lane roads have received an official stamp to overcome Punjab's limitation of being a land-locked state.
Speaking at the Times Group's Achievers of the North ceremony here on Saturday, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal promised to make the state epicentre of investment by improving air connectivity and road infrastructure. The programme had Punjab finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and revenue minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia attending.
"We are conscious of Punjab's land-locked status. Which is why the roadmap ahead for us is to have an airport every 100-km and Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s landing here," Sukhbir told business tycoons who had gathered at the gala event.
29/04/13 Times of India

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New terminal at Bamrauli airport proposed

Allahabad: Keeping in mind security related problems faced by passengers, a new terminal may come up soon within the precincts of Bamrauli airport which at present is under the control of Central Air Command (CAC).This was decided at a meeting of officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and district administration on Saturday.
Presiding over the meeting after visiting the spot along with AAI officials, district magistrate (DM) Rajshekhar said the present terminal at Bamrauli airport is relatively small in size and is not in a position to accommodate heavy rush of passengers and additional flights.
Considering this fact a new terminal would be constructed close to the present airstrip which would streamline movement at Bamrauli airport.
29/04/13 Times of India

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Salman Khurshid behind US airport detention: Azam Khan

New York: Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Azam Khan, who was briefly detained on Wednesday at a US airport, on Sunday accused External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid of hatching a "conspiracy" to defame him outside India.
He even claimed that a call on continuation of Samajwadi Party's support to the UPA government will be taken by party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav after hearing his version and that of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on their return to India. "Our leader knows exactly what had happened and who is behind this and he will take a decision soon on the continuation of support to the UPA government," he said.
On Akhilesh meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai, Khan said formation of a third front with the AIADMK and Pattali Makkal Katchi could not be ruled out. Mulayam Singh, he said, would lead the front, if and when it is formed, and would become the next prime minister.
29/04/13 PTI/Indian Express

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Days of the jackal numbered in airport

Kolkata: The city airport may have got a glitzy integrated terminal, but problems at the ground level continue to disrupt seamless flight operations. And talking of the immediate menace, it's packs of jackals that are giving sleepless nights to airport officials. The problem identified, the airport authorities are now going all-out to evict jackals from the airport complex before monsoon arrives.
Director general of civil aviation Arun Kumar Mishra on Friday called the jackal packs a major safety hazard at the airport. "The animal menace at the airport is a big problem. We need to resolve this before the monsoon sets in so that flight operations are not affected by their incursions on the runway," he told TOI.
It isn't known how many of these animals inhabit the 1,670-acre airport ground but pilots and ground staff have sighted several packs roaming about along the east of the primary runway.
29/04/13 Subhro Niyogi/Times of India

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Visakhapatnam Airport pins hopes on AAI

Visakhapatnam: For Visakhapatnam, which boasts of a national highway, a major railway junction and one of the best ports, lack of good air transport facility is a drawback. The City of Destiny, as a result, lags far behind not only in terms of passenger travel but also cargo transportation. And for some strange reason, expansion works of the airport are progressing at a snail’s pace notwithstanding promises from all stakeholders.
The Visakhapatnam Airport, which was originally set up for defence purposes, is the second busiest in the State. It bagged the Best Airport Award in tier two category from the Union Tourism Ministry last month.
At present, the airport handles 16 arrivals and departures every day. The airport has been developed with a new terminal building functioning with an expanded runway of 10,500 sft. Night landing facility with instrument landing system is also in place.
29/04/13 PS Dileep/New Indian Express

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Int’l status for Tirupati airport still a dream

Tirupati: Upgradation of the Tirupati domestic airport into an international airport is unlikely in the immediate future. It was way back in September, 2010 that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the expansion and upgradation of the airport.
Emphasising the need for the same, the Prime Minister had said, “Once this new integrated terminal is operational, the Tirupati airport will have the capacity to handle 500 domestic and 200 international flights during peak hours. The new terminal building will be equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. After international operations commence, pilgrims from neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka will find it easier to come in large numbers, contributing to Tirupati’s development into a major religious-cum-tourist hub.”
29/04/13  S Viswanath/New Indian Express

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Two Senior GMR executives quit

Bangalore: Two senior executives of infrastructure developer GMR have resigned their posts, the latest in a series of top-level management moves in the country's infrastructure sector. A Subbarao, chief financial officer of the group, resigned last month. He is moving out of the infrastructure sector, a person with knowledge of the development said.
Vikram Jai Singhania, chief executive of the Hyderabad International Airport, left the company last week to join as president of Mumbai-based tyre-maker Alliance Tire Group. Bangalore-based GMR confirmed the exits. "Subbarao is moving on to pursue different interests," a spokesperson for GMR said, adding that he was replaced last week by Madhu Terdal, chief executive for special economic zone. Subbarao will continue in the services of the GMR Group till July to smoothen the transition, the spokesperson added. Subbarao had joined GMR in December 1999 after working with Kotak Mahindra as head of retail finance operations. He has also worked with ITW Signode, a multinational manufacturer of Packaging Solutions, and audit firm Sudit K Parekh & Co.
Terdal, who has been with GMR for over 13 years, was involved in the company's urban infrastructure projects before taking over as CFO. He has also served as president for GMR Infrastructure, looking into the company's international business.
29/04/13 Sobia Khan/Economic Times

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New weather system to make flying safer

Juhu airport is set to become the first in the country to have the latest technology that will enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. Officials said the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) will be installed at the airport next month by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). A similar system is operational in the US and Canada.
Airport sources said the technology, which has been developed mainly for helicopters, will automatically send audio messages on weather updates directly to the pilot every minute.
Conversely, the pilot can also choose to receive this information every two or three minutes. Presently, all such details are given manually by the IMD to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) every 30 minutes. The ATC then passes it on to the pilot.
28/04/13 Daily News & Analysis

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Airlines challenge hike in charges at Mumbai airport

New Delhi:  Federation of Indian airlines and German carrier Lufthansa have challenged an order of airport economic regulator AERA, approving hike in various aeronautical charges at Mumbai airport.
The airport economic regulatory authority appellate tribunal will hear the petitions of federation of Indian airlines (FIA) and Lufthansa on July 18.
The airports economic regulatory authority (AERA) in a January 15, 2013, order had approved a hike in various aeronautical charges such as landing, housing and parking, aerobridge and fuel throughput.
A three-member bench of the tribunal issued a notice over the condonation of delay to AERA, Airport Authority of India and ministry of civil aviation and Mumbai International Airport Ltd which operates Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport.
28/04/13 Times of India

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Airlines unhappy with Chennai international terminal

Chennai: Airlines may not be in favour of the new international terminal being opened for public use without the availability of necessary facilities, said sources. The Airline Operators Committee (AOC), comprising representatives from airline operators, met the Minister of State for Civil Aviation K.C. Venugopal on Saturday in this regard.
“The new terminal will open in mid-May but may not operate separately and will require the old terminal to function for a while. The new international terminal will not have an inline baggage screening system. We are also unsure how procedures including check-in, customs, security and immigration can be carried out in both terminals without disturbing passengers,” said an official. The opening of the new terminal has also been plagued by shortage of manpower in CISF, customs and immigration.
28/04/13 The Hindu

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Airlines challenge hike in charges at Mumbai airport

New Delhi: Federation of Indian Airlines and German carrier Lufthansa have challenged an order of airport economic regulator AERA approving hike in various aeronautical charges at Mumbai airport.
The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal will hear the petitions of Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) and Lufthansa on July 18.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) in a January 15, 2013, order had approved hike in various aeronautical charges such as landing, housing and parking, aerobridge and fuel throughput.
A three-member bench of the tribunal issued notice over condonation of delay to AERA, Airport Authority of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation and Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which operates Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport.
28/04/13 PTI/Indian Express

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'Govt should get one more runway'

Panaji: The state unit of the NCP on Saturday demanded that the state government should get one more runway for the Dabolim airport, so as to enable flights to land and take off. The party did not oppose the proposed international airport at Mopa.
The NCP's chief spokesperson, Trajano D'mello, addressing mediapersons along with state president Nilkant Halarnkar, on said that the NCP believes that Goa should be developed as a whole. He said that the centre needs to be approached for another runway at Dabolim.
28/04/13 Times of India

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Just landed? Get ready for another round of frisking at domestic airport

Mumbai: Passengers arriving at the domestic airport will need to go through a security check similar to the one at the departing terminal in a bid to beef up security.
The move comes after security personnel from the customs department discovered two cases of smuggling in the last fortnight. The accused were detained after receiving a tip-off from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Last week, officials intercepted two couriers involved in a smuggling racket who flew in from Bangalore with gold worth Rs12 lakh. One of the smugglers hid the gold in the seat of an international flight which came in from Dubai the day before and flew to Mumbai the next day. “The modus operandi used assumed that the courier would not be checked at the domestic wing of the Mumbai airport and they would have escaped if we didn’t have  intelligence input,” said an AIU official.
28/04/13 Daily News & Analysis

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