Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Sunday said the Centre would consider introducing more international flights to Visakhapatnam.
He was speaking at a meeting on connectivity and tourism conducted by Air Travellers' Association (India) (ATAI) at Four Points by Sheraton to celebrate the inauguration of international flight by Air India from here to Dubai. Mr. Singh said the flight to Dubai should not be the last and the city with huge potential for tourism and industrialisation should have significant improvement in connectivity.
Stating that aviation and tourism should go together, he said it was a capital-intensive sector with tremendous potential for creating job opportunities.
Harping on difficult phase being experienced by the aviation sector the world over, he said they were expecting that they would tide over financial stress caused due to various factors and a growth by 18 to 20 per cent in next five to six years.
Focus on small cities
Stating that they had encouraged huge investments in maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, Mr. Singh said the Centre was keen on introducing more routes from tier-II and III cities connecting metro airports. During next six months, 15 international destinations would be connected, he said, adding they were expecting connectivity with 400 international destinations in next two to three years. Responding to a request by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forest Chairman T. Subbarami Reddy, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said if 24x7 operations at INS Dega airport in the city, which is under the control of Navy, was not possible, he would extend full support for construction of a Greenfield international airport. “We have influential MPs like Union Minister of State for HRD D. Purandeswari and Mr. Subbarami Reddy from Vizag. If efforts to ensure 24x7 operations fail, it will be better to take up construction of an international airport,” he stated. He said an international consultant should be appointed to find out ways to market Vizag as an international destination for tourism.
Minister for Tourism Vatti Vasant Kumar and Minister for Infrastructure and Investment Ganta Srinivasa Rao were present. Mr. Subbarami Reddy, who presided, described the introduction of Dubai flight as a memorable day for the people of Vizag .
ATAI president D. Varada Reddy welcomed.
