s the Gannavaram airport is ill-equipped to handle the rush of VIPs attending the foundation ceremony for Amaravati on October 22, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to rely on Begumpet airport in Hyderabad. The AAI wants to use it as a base during the ceremony.
After commercial air operations were shifted to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad a few years ago, the Central government had permitted movement of chartered planes only from Begumpet airport. In addition, Air Force planes and trainee aircraft fly from Begumpet.
At present, the Gannavaram airport has four parking bays for A321 and two for ATR flights and a helipad. It is now catering to the needs of 27 flight movements everyday. As dignitaries will start arriving in Vijayawada from October 21, the number of flights will go up manifold. Three airliners - TruJet, Air Costa and Spice Jet - have decided to operate more services in view of the demand, according to airport officials.
“The Begumpet airport will come in handy for parking non-scheduled flights, as the airport at Gannavaram has no adequate space to accommodate a large number of flights,” said Airport Director M. Rajkishore. Apart from Begumpet, airports at Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam will be utilised on October 21 and 22. “We are preparing air operation plans for the safety and security of guests coming from abroad and other parts of the country,” he said.
According to Mr. Rajkishore, the AAI is roping in senior officials from Chennai for handling services relating to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems that are key to safe and efficient air traffic management. Protocol committees will be constituted to accompany VIPs after they arrive at Gannavaram.
AAI is roping in senior officials from Chennai for handling services relating to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and communications, navigation, and surveillance systems
- M. Rajkishore,Director of Gannavaram airport
