A city that got an airport and air connectivity six decades ago and was connected to international destinations six years back now struggles with two issues that threatens to ground even its overall growth.
The two challenges are related to expansion of the existing airport and getting more number of direct flights to other countries, especially Dubai.
Coimbatore International Airport, which is now spread over 420 acres, needs another 627.89 acres for a wider and longer runway, new terminal building, etc.
Bottlenecks in the acquisition of the total additional land have crippled expansion plans of Coimbatore International Airport (CIA) for almost 10 years now. It still lacks the mandatory width for the runway based on which Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issues licence to Airport Authority of India (AAI) to run an airport.
Airport Director G. Prakash Reddy told The Hindu that DGCA is extending the licence every two years for over the last 10 years though CIA is yet to meet DGCA requirement for basic strip, i.e., 150 metres on either side of the runway from the centre line. At present, it is just 75 metres wide on either side.
This is a basic safety requirement, he explains. The DGCA licence will expire in April this year though AAI hopes that it will be extended further not to affect operations at the airport.
Even if about 35 acres is made available in the first phase, the basic strip could be widened. Have a new and bigger building could be taken up in the next phase and in four or five years when it would be completed, the final expansion works could be taken up.
“Security of passengers cannot be compromised. Other requirements like new terminal and expanding the length of the runway are next to widening of the basic strip,” said Mr. Reddy.
Coimbatore has major growth segments such as healthcare, industry, and education. Even if 10 per cent growth is tapped in each segment, the airport will see massive development. It is bursting at its seams now, says another official. It needs a new building as the number of passengers using the airport increases. The State Government will have to talk to the land owners on a daily basis, arrive at a settlement and acquire the land. If it hands over the land, expansion works will take off.
On flight connectivity, which is the main demand of the trade and industry, while there is growth in domestic passenger traffic, the need is for better international connectivity. Even small-bodied flights can be operated till the expansion issue is sorted out, say industry sources.
The airport, however, sees annual investments for small improvements. This year, works are on for nearly ₹ 9 crore.
This will include a larger canopy at the front. Further, a common user self service facility will be operational from next month. Passengers of Indigo flight can check in themselves, and if there is only hand cargo, proceed. More display boards will be placed as CIA is now a “silent airport” with no flight-related announcements. Efforts are continuously on to have more kiosks where local brands can sell their products, say sources.
