Round-the-clock operation is a prerequisite for international flights
Three years after the new terminal building was opened, round-the-clock operations continue to elude Visakhapatnam Airport. The assertion of the Navy that the watch-hours can be extended at short notice to facilitate the operation of international flights seems to be far from the truth.
This is evident from the fact that 10 days after the launch of the first international flight, the passengers coming from Dubai are being forced to wait for one hour in Hyderabad as Visakhapatnam Airport functions only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Dubai – Visakhapatnam (via Hyderabad) AI 952 reaches Hyderabad at 5.50 a.m. but is being detained there for more than an hour as landing in Visakhapatnam is not possible before 8 a.m. at present.
This is not all, when Jet Airways wanted to land in Visakhapatnam at 7.55 a.m., the Navy was said to have declined permission and SpiceJet' s plan to schedule its flight to take off at 8.30 p.m. had to be revised after the Navy refused to keep the airport open after 8 p.m., according to sources.
“The flight is arriving a few minutes prior to the opening of the airport and hovering around the city as ‘overstaying' at the Hyderabad Airport would make the airline operator liable to pay additional charges,” says D. Varada Reddy, president of the Air Travellers Association of India.
Round-the-clock operation of the airport is a pre-requisite for international airline operators to operate from the city. This is because the schedules have to be planned several months in advance and intimated to airports across the globe. Once the schedules are announced any delay in extending the watch hours would make the plans of the airline operators go haywire.
Watch hours
The Navy was justified to some extent in saying that keeping the airport open 24 hours without adequate number of flights operating is a ‘colossal waste of manpower'. Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju has categorically stated during his visit to the city a few months ago that the watch hours could be extended at short notice provided the airline operators came up with written proposals to operate flights. The disinclination of the officials concerned to extend the watch hours makes one feel that the airline operators are justified in seeking a written commitment from the authorities concerned.
Keywords: Visakhapatnam Airport, watch-hours, international flights
Vizag Airport is not the only airport under military. Begumpet Airport was under Air Force but Air Force never played spoil-sport like navy is doing at Vizag. Also, Palam and Sahar airports too are under military but they run 24 hours. Why is Navy so stubborn in Vizag? Indian Navy at Vizag is run by North Indians and North Indian top brass do nog care a hoot about Vizag or its development. And as for our politicians, they are the weakest in country. If same thing had happened in Tamil Nadu or Kerala, Navy top-brass would have learnt their lesson hard way, but not here in Vizag. It will remain so forever because AP politicians are weakest and meakest. They know only one thing --- how to fight among themselves. See how Orissa has stolen all AP trains and there is nothing AP politicians can do.
It is very unfortunate that Navy has control over the airport. I wonder why it is not possible to operate round the clock when it is possible at Goa airport which is also under the control of Navy. I think our members of parliament from Vizag, Mrs. Purandeswari and Mr. Kishore chandradev are not putting adequate effort to convince our defense minister Mr. Anthony for the additional man power.
If it is really difficult to enhance man power for the navy, it is better to be transferred under the control of AAI.
It is time that the airport is handed over to civilian authorities. Of course, Navy should be able to take control in case of a war like situation. Airport is a national asset and it has be optimally used.
I believe very much of the fact that Vizag being the head quarters for Eastern Naval Command whom unfortunately control the hours of Civilian aircraft operation can't give the adequate importance for growth of air traffic yet then want to have the prime properties as there quarters it is indeed a shame and I feel it is high time Vizag becomes a Civilian Airport.
Mr.Tej, does it make sense for Navy to waste 6 hours of their time arranging manpower, when there is only 1 or 2 flights in a month which comes during these timings.
It makes sense that these airlines intimate in advance and then Navy arrange for the required watch or increase more number of international flights, so that extending it to 18 or 24 hrs make sense.
If work force is the only issue to operate this airport 24X7, then I feel it is bad luck to have navy in Visakhapatnam, which is directly affecting the growth of the city. In addition, sorry to say, I am not at all happy with Vizag airport. It is does not have minimum facilities one can expect like well no of prepaid taxis/auto and bus facility. Always no taxis in prepaid taxi counter and 2 months back I paid Rs 450 for out side taxi just to go to kurmanpalem
Right now they are operating from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, which is 12 hours.
As per the labor laws one shift should not exceed 9 hours (inclusive of
1 hour break). So any how they need double the manpower to operate 12
hours a day, so why don't they operate 18 hours (9 hours per shift)which
is easily possible, of-course only if they are following labor laws at
present. They can start operating from 5 AM to 11 PM, this will help
both the domestic and international passengers for the time being.
The landing has never been smooth for any passenger for a long time now. The article only highlights some of the recent woes added to the existing ones. The Indian Navy reigns supreme in this part of the world and nothing can deter the Navy's order. This battle will go on for a month locally, escalate to the HQ and later to the Parliament. Flight operators will cancel scheduled flights to Vizag as they have no option. Indian Navy calls the shots in Vizag.
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