Showing posts with label Coimbatore Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coimbatore Airport. Show all posts
Friday, September 03, 2010
Shops closed to protest land acquisition for airport
About 100 shopkeepers in Chinniyampalayam and Kalapatti downed shutters to air their protest against land acquisition for expansion of the city airport. The shopkeepers said their business would be hit due to expansion, as majority of the houses would be demolished and residents moved to other places. They demanded that the administration and Airports Authority shelve the project or find some alternative place, without disturbing the residents and also trade and business. The residents were already on agitational path and had stages protests by hoisting blackflag atop their houses, and organising day long fasts.
Friday, May 14, 2010
New Air India flight between Coimbatore - Chennai
National air carrier Air India today said it would launch additional flights from six cities to tap summer passenger traffic, starting from
tomorrow.
Air India will also operate a direct flight between Chennai and Coimbatore four times a week from May 17, a press release issued here said.
The national airline would provide the additional air services between Delhi and Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Patna, the release said.
The airline had earlier said it plans to jack-up capacity by 10 per cent during the summer schedule.
Air India's summer schedule starts from March 28 and continues till middle of October.
The Chennai-Coimbatore flight will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the release said.
tomorrow.
Air India will also operate a direct flight between Chennai and Coimbatore four times a week from May 17, a press release issued here said.
The national airline would provide the additional air services between Delhi and Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Patna, the release said.
The airline had earlier said it plans to jack-up capacity by 10 per cent during the summer schedule.
Air India's summer schedule starts from March 28 and continues till middle of October.
The Chennai-Coimbatore flight will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the release said.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Coimbatore college students develop robotic vehicle
Three engineering students of a city college today claimed to have developed a multipurpose unmanned robotic vehicle which they believe would be useful for ISRO, in exploring the lunar surface in the next unmanned moon mission, besides Army and police in various activities.
The vehicle, which uses artificial intelligence with digital image processing sans any sensors, would do multi-various activities like car chasing, reading book and driving, the students of the Government College of Technology told reporters after a demonstration.
Ranganathan, S R Anantha Krishnan and S Rajesh Kannan, who developed the vehicle, said it was designed to ply on the road automatically and detect both moving and stationary objects such as other vehicles and human beings.
Since the vehicle fitted with a camera can also be controlled through wireless transmitter, it can be added to ISRO-2012 space programme for exploring moon, they said.
The vehicle, which uses artificial intelligence with digital image processing sans any sensors, would do multi-various activities like car chasing, reading book and driving, the students of the Government College of Technology told reporters after a demonstration.
Ranganathan, S R Anantha Krishnan and S Rajesh Kannan, who developed the vehicle, said it was designed to ply on the road automatically and detect both moving and stationary objects such as other vehicles and human beings.
Since the vehicle fitted with a camera can also be controlled through wireless transmitter, it can be added to ISRO-2012 space programme for exploring moon, they said.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore
The direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore would help in promoting industrial, business as well as leisure travel prospects on either side, observed David Lim, Vice-President (Commercial) of Silk Air, on Sunday.
Silk Air would provide connectivity from Singapore for tourists from Australia, the U.S., the U.K. and other parts of the world to visit destinations in and around Coimbatore. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the first direct flight service of Silk Air between Coimbatore and Singapore.
The inaugural flight from Singapore had over 95 per cent occupancy while the outgoing first flight to Singapore had over 65 per cent occupancy. It would have been higher, if the inaugural flight time was not advanced, he said.
The dignitaries launched the first service by cutting a cake. Captains Shri Ram and Mandesh Singh along the flight crew were honoured.
Mr. David said with the major metro cities having reached a saturation level Silk Air was looking at the business prospects in fast growing cities such as Coimbatore. Silk Air was focussing on business tourists as well as leisure travellers.
To foster business and industrial ties, Silk Air in its first flight from Singapore on Sunday brought in a delegation of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegation would meet industrial and business houses and explore areas where there could be ties for encouraging investments. The delegation was hoping for fruitful efforts on education and textile machinery segments. Mr. Lim said Silk Air was waiting for a long to launch its service to Coimbatore. He said a study team was constituted in 2004 which suggested operation of services to Coimbatore. But the plans could not be materialised since they had to wait for a review of the air service agreement between the two countries.
“When the review of the agreement this year gave the opportunity Silk Air came into Coimbatore,” he said.
On increasing frequency between Singapore and Coimbatore, David said a city such as Coimbatore with so much of potential required more services and added that depending on patronage the number of services would be increased.
On the cargo freighter, Mr. Lim said as such the passenger flights could take up to three tonnes of cargo and if there was more demand, Silk Air would impress upon Singapore Airlines to commence cargo services.
As of now, Coimbatore is the third city in the South India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi for Silk Air. Mr. Prabhu said India’s tourism office at Singapore would showcase the opportunities and potentials in terms of business, tourism and culture in this part of the country. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Nilgiris MP R. Prabhu, Coimbatore Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Customs Commissioner C. Rajendran, Airport Director K. Hemalatha, Manager Public Affairs of Silk Air Renu Nair, Manager India of Silk Air Ramachandra Menon and Manager of Silk Air L. Ravindran, Coimbatore, were among those who took part in the inaugural function.
Silk Air would provide connectivity from Singapore for tourists from Australia, the U.S., the U.K. and other parts of the world to visit destinations in and around Coimbatore. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the first direct flight service of Silk Air between Coimbatore and Singapore.
The inaugural flight from Singapore had over 95 per cent occupancy while the outgoing first flight to Singapore had over 65 per cent occupancy. It would have been higher, if the inaugural flight time was not advanced, he said.
The dignitaries launched the first service by cutting a cake. Captains Shri Ram and Mandesh Singh along the flight crew were honoured.
Mr. David said with the major metro cities having reached a saturation level Silk Air was looking at the business prospects in fast growing cities such as Coimbatore. Silk Air was focussing on business tourists as well as leisure travellers.
To foster business and industrial ties, Silk Air in its first flight from Singapore on Sunday brought in a delegation of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegation would meet industrial and business houses and explore areas where there could be ties for encouraging investments. The delegation was hoping for fruitful efforts on education and textile machinery segments. Mr. Lim said Silk Air was waiting for a long to launch its service to Coimbatore. He said a study team was constituted in 2004 which suggested operation of services to Coimbatore. But the plans could not be materialised since they had to wait for a review of the air service agreement between the two countries.
“When the review of the agreement this year gave the opportunity Silk Air came into Coimbatore,” he said.
On increasing frequency between Singapore and Coimbatore, David said a city such as Coimbatore with so much of potential required more services and added that depending on patronage the number of services would be increased.
On the cargo freighter, Mr. Lim said as such the passenger flights could take up to three tonnes of cargo and if there was more demand, Silk Air would impress upon Singapore Airlines to commence cargo services.
As of now, Coimbatore is the third city in the South India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi for Silk Air. Mr. Prabhu said India’s tourism office at Singapore would showcase the opportunities and potentials in terms of business, tourism and culture in this part of the country. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Nilgiris MP R. Prabhu, Coimbatore Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Customs Commissioner C. Rajendran, Airport Director K. Hemalatha, Manager Public Affairs of Silk Air Renu Nair, Manager India of Silk Air Ramachandra Menon and Manager of Silk Air L. Ravindran, Coimbatore, were among those who took part in the inaugural function.
Coimbatore Airport expansion to start soon
The Airport Authority of India has given its approval for modification and expansion of the Coimbatore Airport terminal buildings at an outlay of Rs. 78 crore. The project, to be implemented in two years, will give the airport a new look and a host of new facilities.
Airport Director K. Hemalatha confirmed the approval and said the project would include installation of two new aerobridges, elevators/escalators and a conveyor belt to carry baggage. At present the airport does not have an aerobridge and passengers have to walk through the tarmac/apron and climb the passenger step ladder (PSL) vehicle to get onto the flight. Aerobridges take the passengers straight into the flight from the terminal building. Aerobridges will also help reduce human or vehicle movement on the tarmac.
Coimbatore airport already has international flight connectivity to Sharjah by Air Arabia and Indian while Sri Lankan and Silk Air are scheduled to commence shortly their services to Colombo and Singapore respectively.
The aerobridges would be immensely useful, sources said. When there are no international flights, bigger aircraft on the domestic sector also could use these aerobridges.
The VIP lounge and the passenger waiting area in the departure and arrival halls would get a facelift with new chairs and trolleys, said the sources.
Efforts are on to get feeder conveyors that will feed the luggage onto the conveyor directly after weighing it. Customs counters will be fully refurbished and there will be adequate space for new facilities such as customs duty paid shop and foreign exchange counters.
With the available land every possible improvement was being made to keep pace with growth, the sources said.
Airport Director K. Hemalatha confirmed the approval and said the project would include installation of two new aerobridges, elevators/escalators and a conveyor belt to carry baggage. At present the airport does not have an aerobridge and passengers have to walk through the tarmac/apron and climb the passenger step ladder (PSL) vehicle to get onto the flight. Aerobridges take the passengers straight into the flight from the terminal building. Aerobridges will also help reduce human or vehicle movement on the tarmac.
Coimbatore airport already has international flight connectivity to Sharjah by Air Arabia and Indian while Sri Lankan and Silk Air are scheduled to commence shortly their services to Colombo and Singapore respectively.
The aerobridges would be immensely useful, sources said. When there are no international flights, bigger aircraft on the domestic sector also could use these aerobridges.
The VIP lounge and the passenger waiting area in the departure and arrival halls would get a facelift with new chairs and trolleys, said the sources.
Efforts are on to get feeder conveyors that will feed the luggage onto the conveyor directly after weighing it. Customs counters will be fully refurbished and there will be adequate space for new facilities such as customs duty paid shop and foreign exchange counters.
With the available land every possible improvement was being made to keep pace with growth, the sources said.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Coimbatore-Singapore Silk Air direct flight from October 28
Silk Air, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will launch its Coimbatore-Singapore-Coimbatore weekly thrice direct flight service on October 28. This becomes the first ever connectivity between the two cities.
Ramachandra Menon, Manager India and L. Ravindran, Coimbatore Manager for Silk Air announced this to presspersons on Friday.
Coimbatore becomes the third destination for Silk Air in south India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Coimbatore airport has only one international connectivity for Sharjah by Indian and Air Arabia.
Silk Air officials said the new weekly thrice service would make for a capacity injection of 700 seats a week providing a boost to Coimbatore’s trade and tourism and to meet the growing demand for direct international connections to and from the city.
Ramachandra Menon, Manager India and L. Ravindran, Coimbatore Manager for Silk Air announced this to presspersons on Friday.
Coimbatore becomes the third destination for Silk Air in south India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Coimbatore airport has only one international connectivity for Sharjah by Indian and Air Arabia.
Silk Air officials said the new weekly thrice service would make for a capacity injection of 700 seats a week providing a boost to Coimbatore’s trade and tourism and to meet the growing demand for direct international connections to and from the city.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Passenger traffic soaring in Coimbatore Airport
Passenger and aircraft movements at the Coimbatore Airport have soared thanks to economic boom and entry of low cost airlines. Airport Director K. Hemalatha said SilkAir was planning to operate a weekly thrice service from Coimbatore to Singapore (to and fro flight) from October 28. The flight scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will arrive at 11.30 p.m. and depart at 00.20 a.m. The airline is planning to operate A319 or A320 aircraft (120 or 180 seats respectively).
The Coimbatore–Singapore flight service becomes the second international connectivity for Coimbatore next to the Coimbatore– Sharjah weekly thrice service by Indian. Airport sources said Sri Lankan Airlines had evinced interest in operating a service from Coimbatore to Colombo and was even planning to have five services a week.
A team from the airline is coming to Coimbatore this week to finalise arrangements. Sources said there had been enquiries for the feasibility of a Coimbatore–Dubai connectivity and one of the Gulf-based airlines was likely to grab it. Spice Jet Airways is planning to operate services from Coimbatore with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai likely to be the destinations. A Chennai-based firm ‘Dravidian Air’ was planning to operate services connecting major airports in the four southern states.
The Coimbatore–Singapore flight service becomes the second international connectivity for Coimbatore next to the Coimbatore– Sharjah weekly thrice service by Indian. Airport sources said Sri Lankan Airlines had evinced interest in operating a service from Coimbatore to Colombo and was even planning to have five services a week.
A team from the airline is coming to Coimbatore this week to finalise arrangements. Sources said there had been enquiries for the feasibility of a Coimbatore–Dubai connectivity and one of the Gulf-based airlines was likely to grab it. Spice Jet Airways is planning to operate services from Coimbatore with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai likely to be the destinations. A Chennai-based firm ‘Dravidian Air’ was planning to operate services connecting major airports in the four southern states.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Coimbatore among fastest growing air traffic cities
Spurred by cheap fares and rapid economic growth, the fastest growth in the number of air passengers is taking place in smaller cities like Pune, Raipur, Coimbatore and Ahmedabad, to name a few.
Based on figures from state-owned carriers, these airports grew between 60 per cent and 82 per cent in calendar 2006 over the previous year.
In contrast, major airports like Mumbai and Delhi grew by over 20 per cent and over 35 per cent, respectively, though, strictly, comparisons are not possible since the two operate on a far higher base of 22.25 million and 20.44 million passengers.
The growth in the number of air passengers in small cities reflects the growth of both manufacturing and service industries in small-town India, which, in turn, has spurred purchasing power.
It is also a result of moves by budget carriers to aggressively tap these markets by starting new services, helped by the government’s airport upgrade programme.
Said Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, “The growth of Indian civil aviation has taken the benefits beyond ‘Mumbai-Delhi economy’ to non-metro cities and the main growth will come from cities like Pune, Ahmedabad and so on.”
Pune is a case in point. “Many companies, primarily from the IT industry, have decided to set up shop there,” says Kapil Kaul, aviation analyst and CEO, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). The city is also emerging as a auto-manufacturing hub.
Raipur is another hot emerging market. “Raipur is an important mining centre with many steel and cement units located there. Also, its location is very strategic and makes for easy connectivity. We will have a Delhi-Raipur flight in a couple of months,” says Ajay Singh, director of budget carrier SpiceJet. Raipur has almost 12 flights a day.
Ahmedabad has 50 flights a day. Spice Jet and Air Deccan operate 15, connecting it to major cities and places like Pune, Vadodara, Coimbatore and Jaipur.
According to CAPA estimates, 30 small cities, including Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Srinagar, Cochin and Coimbatore, will see huge growth in air travel in the near future.
Based on figures from state-owned carriers, these airports grew between 60 per cent and 82 per cent in calendar 2006 over the previous year.
In contrast, major airports like Mumbai and Delhi grew by over 20 per cent and over 35 per cent, respectively, though, strictly, comparisons are not possible since the two operate on a far higher base of 22.25 million and 20.44 million passengers.
The growth in the number of air passengers in small cities reflects the growth of both manufacturing and service industries in small-town India, which, in turn, has spurred purchasing power.
It is also a result of moves by budget carriers to aggressively tap these markets by starting new services, helped by the government’s airport upgrade programme.
Said Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, “The growth of Indian civil aviation has taken the benefits beyond ‘Mumbai-Delhi economy’ to non-metro cities and the main growth will come from cities like Pune, Ahmedabad and so on.”
Pune is a case in point. “Many companies, primarily from the IT industry, have decided to set up shop there,” says Kapil Kaul, aviation analyst and CEO, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). The city is also emerging as a auto-manufacturing hub.
Raipur is another hot emerging market. “Raipur is an important mining centre with many steel and cement units located there. Also, its location is very strategic and makes for easy connectivity. We will have a Delhi-Raipur flight in a couple of months,” says Ajay Singh, director of budget carrier SpiceJet. Raipur has almost 12 flights a day.
Ahmedabad has 50 flights a day. Spice Jet and Air Deccan operate 15, connecting it to major cities and places like Pune, Vadodara, Coimbatore and Jaipur.
According to CAPA estimates, 30 small cities, including Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Srinagar, Cochin and Coimbatore, will see huge growth in air travel in the near future.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Airport officials clarify land acquistion rumours
There is no move to acquire 300 acres for the expansion of the Coimbatore Airport, according to Airport Authority of India (AAI) sources.
The sources said that a technical proposal forwarded by them to the AAI head quarters had mentioned the required extent of land. After approving the plan the Union Government would take it up with the State Government.
The sources said that in the first phase of expansion from 7,500 ft to 8,500 ft no habitations were disturbed. In the second phase, wherein the AAI had planned to expand the runway to 9,700 ft, 20 acres were sought and that too did not involve even a single habitation.
In both the phases of expansion, no residential area was disturbed. Even technically the runway alignment was only towards vacant land, they said.
Vested interests
It was real estate agents/brokers and those vested interests deliberately creating panic among the residents in a bid to bring down the prices of land and properties around the airport, sources added.
The District Collector had already announced that neither the airport authorities nor the Government had sought land in this connection.
K. Subbarayan, MP, said that certain groups were spreading rumours that land and houses right from Karunanidhi Nagar to GKR Nagar would be acquired for expanding the Coimbatore Airport. The State Government at no point of time had stated that it had plans to acquire colonies and habitations for any project.
He said that he would stand by the residents if at all there was any move to acquire the land.
The sources said that a technical proposal forwarded by them to the AAI head quarters had mentioned the required extent of land. After approving the plan the Union Government would take it up with the State Government.
The sources said that in the first phase of expansion from 7,500 ft to 8,500 ft no habitations were disturbed. In the second phase, wherein the AAI had planned to expand the runway to 9,700 ft, 20 acres were sought and that too did not involve even a single habitation.
In both the phases of expansion, no residential area was disturbed. Even technically the runway alignment was only towards vacant land, they said.
Vested interests
It was real estate agents/brokers and those vested interests deliberately creating panic among the residents in a bid to bring down the prices of land and properties around the airport, sources added.
The District Collector had already announced that neither the airport authorities nor the Government had sought land in this connection.
K. Subbarayan, MP, said that certain groups were spreading rumours that land and houses right from Karunanidhi Nagar to GKR Nagar would be acquired for expanding the Coimbatore Airport. The State Government at no point of time had stated that it had plans to acquire colonies and habitations for any project.
He said that he would stand by the residents if at all there was any move to acquire the land.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Coimbatore Airport Expansion Plan faces resistance
Opposing the proposed move to acquire about 300 acres of land for Coimbatore Airport expansion, over 800 residents of that area today laid near siege to the District Collectorate.
The residents, a large number of them being women, submitted a memorandum to Collector Neeraj Mittal, in which they appealed to stop the move as 5,000 people were likely to be rendered homeless, besides losing agricultural land.
Claiming that there was no information about the acquisition of land, sources close to Mittal said the administration, for that matter, cannot do much about the issue, since it was related to the Centre.
According to the residents, some Airport officials had last month specifically told some people that about 350 acres of land would be acquired for expansion.
The residents have issued a warning that they would intensify their agitation if the proposal was not dropped, police said.
Source: The Hindu
The residents, a large number of them being women, submitted a memorandum to Collector Neeraj Mittal, in which they appealed to stop the move as 5,000 people were likely to be rendered homeless, besides losing agricultural land.
Claiming that there was no information about the acquisition of land, sources close to Mittal said the administration, for that matter, cannot do much about the issue, since it was related to the Centre.
According to the residents, some Airport officials had last month specifically told some people that about 350 acres of land would be acquired for expansion.
The residents have issued a warning that they would intensify their agitation if the proposal was not dropped, police said.
Source: The Hindu
Friday, January 12, 2007
Airlines from Singapore can operate to Coimbatore
India and Singapore have agreed to increase the number of seats being offered by their designated airlines in a phased manner till winter 2009.
The designated airlines of Singapore will now be allowed to operate regular flights to Coimbatore, there by increasing its footprint here. This was firmed up at the conclusion of bilateral air services agreement between India and Singapore here late on Tuesday night.
The agreement not only permits airlines from Singapore to increase the current number of flights that they operate to some cities here but also allows similar freedom to airlines from India.
In August 2005, when the last round of air services between India and Singapore were successfully exchanged airlines from Singapore were allowed to increase frequency to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
At present, Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary Silk Air operate regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad Kochi among others.
Air India, Air India Express, Indian, Air Sahara and Jet Airways operate regular flights from various points within the country to Singapore, while Singapore Airlines operates regular flights to India.
Source: Moneycontrol.com
The designated airlines of Singapore will now be allowed to operate regular flights to Coimbatore, there by increasing its footprint here. This was firmed up at the conclusion of bilateral air services agreement between India and Singapore here late on Tuesday night.
The agreement not only permits airlines from Singapore to increase the current number of flights that they operate to some cities here but also allows similar freedom to airlines from India.
In August 2005, when the last round of air services between India and Singapore were successfully exchanged airlines from Singapore were allowed to increase frequency to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
At present, Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary Silk Air operate regular flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad Kochi among others.
Air India, Air India Express, Indian, Air Sahara and Jet Airways operate regular flights from various points within the country to Singapore, while Singapore Airlines operates regular flights to India.
Source: Moneycontrol.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
Master plan for Coimbatore Airport expansion on the cards
A master plan for the expansion of the Coimbatore Airport at a cost of Rs 57 crore in 18 months is under implementation, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) Chairman, K. Ramalingam, said on Thursday. Dr Ramalingam was here to review the performance of the airports in the southern region.
Dr. Ramalingam said a global technical advisor and an Indian financial consultant had been appointed for finalising the expansion project.
An integrated cargo complex, a parallel taxi way for ensuring faster handling of aircraft movements, increasing the runway length from 8,500 mt to 9,700 mt and an additional terminal building with aero bridges for handling international aircraft were also on the cards, he said.
The runway length was recently increased from 7,500 ft to 8,500 ft.
Land acquisition
With the process for acquisition of land underway, the AAI was getting ready to increase the length to 9,700 ft for handling wide-bodied international aircraft. Ultimately the plan was to increase the runway length to 12,500 ft in future with even a parallel runway for handling more aircraft at peak hours.
The AAI sources said the process was underway to remit Rs 12 crore for the 16 acres of land identified for acquisition to meet the immediate expansion requirements. The present cargo complex has a capacity to handle 40 tonnes.
Given the cargo potential to and from Coimbatore, the cargo complex capacity would be enhanced by 100 per cent under the integrated cargo complex project.
Parking bays
The Coimbatore airport at present has three parking bays besides one bay for handling aircraft with technical snag and security perceptions. In addition three more parking bays have been readied and would be thrown open shortly for the peak aircraft movements.
The AAI authorities at Coimbatore have forwarded a fresh and detailed letter to the district administration indicating the total requirement of 350 acres for the future expansion activities.
The sources also said the AAI was working on a time frame of 18 months for completing the expansion activities since the IT firms and more MNCs are likely to open shops in Coimbatore within the next two years.
Source: The Hindu
Dr. Ramalingam said a global technical advisor and an Indian financial consultant had been appointed for finalising the expansion project.
An integrated cargo complex, a parallel taxi way for ensuring faster handling of aircraft movements, increasing the runway length from 8,500 mt to 9,700 mt and an additional terminal building with aero bridges for handling international aircraft were also on the cards, he said.
The runway length was recently increased from 7,500 ft to 8,500 ft.
Land acquisition
With the process for acquisition of land underway, the AAI was getting ready to increase the length to 9,700 ft for handling wide-bodied international aircraft. Ultimately the plan was to increase the runway length to 12,500 ft in future with even a parallel runway for handling more aircraft at peak hours.
The AAI sources said the process was underway to remit Rs 12 crore for the 16 acres of land identified for acquisition to meet the immediate expansion requirements. The present cargo complex has a capacity to handle 40 tonnes.
Given the cargo potential to and from Coimbatore, the cargo complex capacity would be enhanced by 100 per cent under the integrated cargo complex project.
Parking bays
The Coimbatore airport at present has three parking bays besides one bay for handling aircraft with technical snag and security perceptions. In addition three more parking bays have been readied and would be thrown open shortly for the peak aircraft movements.
The AAI authorities at Coimbatore have forwarded a fresh and detailed letter to the district administration indicating the total requirement of 350 acres for the future expansion activities.
The sources also said the AAI was working on a time frame of 18 months for completing the expansion activities since the IT firms and more MNCs are likely to open shops in Coimbatore within the next two years.
Source: The Hindu
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN TAMIL NADU
Here is the press release from the Ministry of Civil Aviation about various development activities of Airports across Tamil Nadu.
The Government has plans for the development of the Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichi Airports in Tamil Nadu. This information was given by Shri Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation in the Parliament today.
Various development works like extension of runway, expansion and strengthening of apron have been taken up at Coimbatore airport. There are also proposals for expansion and modification of existing terminal building, construction of a new integrated terminal building complex and expansion of the existing cargo complex at this airport.
At Tiruchirappalli airport, the works relating to extension and strengthening of runway, construction of isolation bay and new fire station and construction of new terminal building with all modern facilities including two aerobridges along with expansion of the apron and link taxiway have been taken.
At Madurai airport, the works relating to extension and strengthening of runway along with expansion of apron, additional link taxiway, isolation bay and associated facilities and installation of ILS have been taken up. There is also a proposal for construction of new integrated terminal building complex with all modern amenities and facilities including installation of two aerobridges at this airport.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) in consultation with the State Government of Tamil Nadu has drawn out a plan for expansion & modernization of the Chennai Airport. However, further development is dependent upon the State Government acquiring 583 Ha of lands adjacent to the airport and handing over the same to AAI.
Source: Nic.in
The Government has plans for the development of the Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichi Airports in Tamil Nadu. This information was given by Shri Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation in the Parliament today.
Various development works like extension of runway, expansion and strengthening of apron have been taken up at Coimbatore airport. There are also proposals for expansion and modification of existing terminal building, construction of a new integrated terminal building complex and expansion of the existing cargo complex at this airport.
At Tiruchirappalli airport, the works relating to extension and strengthening of runway, construction of isolation bay and new fire station and construction of new terminal building with all modern facilities including two aerobridges along with expansion of the apron and link taxiway have been taken.
At Madurai airport, the works relating to extension and strengthening of runway along with expansion of apron, additional link taxiway, isolation bay and associated facilities and installation of ILS have been taken up. There is also a proposal for construction of new integrated terminal building complex with all modern amenities and facilities including installation of two aerobridges at this airport.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) in consultation with the State Government of Tamil Nadu has drawn out a plan for expansion & modernization of the Chennai Airport. However, further development is dependent upon the State Government acquiring 583 Ha of lands adjacent to the airport and handing over the same to AAI.
Source: Nic.in
Friday, December 01, 2006
Singapore Airlines increases flight frequency
Singapore Airlines has launched its sixth weekly fight from Bangalore up from five weekly flights. With the addition of the sixth flight the airline will now offer 1816 seats per week from Bangalore.
Singapore Airlines is also looking at Tier II cities like Coimbatore, Vizag, Nagpur and Tirchy. Addressing mediapersons in Bangalore on Tuesday Foo Chai Woo, GM of Singapore Airlines (India) said, "We are looking at many developing cities in India with our subsidiary regional airline, Silk Air. Tier II cities are on our radar screen and at the right time we will evaluate those markets."
SilkAir currently operates daily flights to Kochi and four flights to Thiruvananthapuram. Excluding SilkAir operations, Singapore Airlines operates 48 weekly flights to eight destinations in India.
Mr Woo said, "We are waiting for the traffic rights to operate daily flight to Bangalore. And with demand picking up we are also looking at operating daily fight to Hyderabad as well." As of now Singapore Airlines operates four flights to Hyderabad.
"The airline also wants to increase its frequencies to Delhi and Chennai," added Mr Woo. Currently it operates daily fights to Delhi, Chennai and double daily flights to Mumbai. Average load factor of the airline across eight destinations in India is around 70-80 per cent. 30 per cent of the airline's passengers out of India are Singapore bound and 70 per cent are onward passengers, said Mr Woo.
Singapore Airlines is also offering a return fare of Rs 6,666 (excluding tax & surcharges) from Bangalore to Singapore, Rs 7,777 on Bagalore-Kualalumpur and Bangalore-Penang route and Rs 8,888 for travel from Bangalore to Bangkok. The offer is valid for outbound travel on Tuesday only from November 28, 2006 to January 31, 2007. Inbound travel can be on any day as per availability.
Singapore Airlines will become the first airline in the world to operate commercial flights on the Airbus A380-800, super jumbo aircraft when it comes into service. The airline has ordered 10 A380-800 and another 15 on option worth $8.6 billion. First A380-800 is expected to be delivered in October 2007.
Source: India Times
Singapore Airlines is also looking at Tier II cities like Coimbatore, Vizag, Nagpur and Tirchy. Addressing mediapersons in Bangalore on Tuesday Foo Chai Woo, GM of Singapore Airlines (India) said, "We are looking at many developing cities in India with our subsidiary regional airline, Silk Air. Tier II cities are on our radar screen and at the right time we will evaluate those markets."
SilkAir currently operates daily flights to Kochi and four flights to Thiruvananthapuram. Excluding SilkAir operations, Singapore Airlines operates 48 weekly flights to eight destinations in India.
Mr Woo said, "We are waiting for the traffic rights to operate daily flight to Bangalore. And with demand picking up we are also looking at operating daily fight to Hyderabad as well." As of now Singapore Airlines operates four flights to Hyderabad.
"The airline also wants to increase its frequencies to Delhi and Chennai," added Mr Woo. Currently it operates daily fights to Delhi, Chennai and double daily flights to Mumbai. Average load factor of the airline across eight destinations in India is around 70-80 per cent. 30 per cent of the airline's passengers out of India are Singapore bound and 70 per cent are onward passengers, said Mr Woo.
Singapore Airlines is also offering a return fare of Rs 6,666 (excluding tax & surcharges) from Bangalore to Singapore, Rs 7,777 on Bagalore-Kualalumpur and Bangalore-Penang route and Rs 8,888 for travel from Bangalore to Bangkok. The offer is valid for outbound travel on Tuesday only from November 28, 2006 to January 31, 2007. Inbound travel can be on any day as per availability.
Singapore Airlines will become the first airline in the world to operate commercial flights on the Airbus A380-800, super jumbo aircraft when it comes into service. The airline has ordered 10 A380-800 and another 15 on option worth $8.6 billion. First A380-800 is expected to be delivered in October 2007.
Source: India Times
Thursday, November 30, 2006
CIAL in talks with foreign airline cos for freight services
Encouraged by growing cargo and passenger traffic, Cochin International Airport (CIAL) is wooing foreign airlines to operate cargo freighters and a passenger aircraft from Europe to Kochi. CIAL is in negotiations with Luftansa and Gulf Air to bring their cargo freighters to Kochi. CIAL MD S Bharath told ET the talks are in an advance stage. The cargo traffic from the airport is projected to go up to 50,000 tonnes .
“We are planning hub and spoke method for attracting cargo. Kochi will act as a hub and collect cargo from surrounding areas like Tirupur, Coimbatore, Kannur, Alappuzha etc,” Mr Bharath said. CIAL is eyeing garment consignments from Tirupur and Kannur, light engineering goods from Coimbatore apart from spices and seafood in Kochi. Since accessibility to Kochi airport is easier than to Chennai from Tirupur and Coimbatore, Mr Bharath reckons exporters will use the cargo freighter facilities here to cut logistic costs.
Source: Economic Times
“We are planning hub and spoke method for attracting cargo. Kochi will act as a hub and collect cargo from surrounding areas like Tirupur, Coimbatore, Kannur, Alappuzha etc,” Mr Bharath said. CIAL is eyeing garment consignments from Tirupur and Kannur, light engineering goods from Coimbatore apart from spices and seafood in Kochi. Since accessibility to Kochi airport is easier than to Chennai from Tirupur and Coimbatore, Mr Bharath reckons exporters will use the cargo freighter facilities here to cut logistic costs.
Source: Economic Times
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Flights from Coimbatore Airport
| Indian Airlines | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| IC 657 Delhi - Kozhikode (Daily) (via Mumbai, Coimbatore) | 10.30 | 11.10 |
| IC 658 Kozhikode - Delhi (Daily) (via Coimbatore, Mumbai) | 13.30 | 14.10 |
| IC 975 International Chennai - Sharjah (Mon, Wed, Fri) (Via Coimbatore, Kochi) | 15.15 | 16.00 |
| IC 976 International Sharjah - Chennai (Tue, Thu, Sat) (Via Kochi, Coimbatore) | 04.05 | 04.45 |
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Coimbatore Airport under Terror alert !!!
Security has been tightened at six airports in South India after finding a letter threatening bomb attacks.
The letter warned that "al Qaeda terrorists" had planted "modern explosives" at Chennai airport, three others airports in Tamil Nadu and some airports in Kerala.
Titled "Allah Osama", it also warned of car bombs and was found on Wednesday by an airport worker at a counter at Thiruchirapally airport in Tamil Nadu.
"We are on high alert," said A Subramaniyam, a top Tamil Nadu police intelligence officer.
"We cannot take such threats lightly in the prevailing sensitive situation across the globe," he said.
Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the letter was "obviously a hoax but we will take no chances".
No Muslim would combine Allah's name with a man's name like Osama, he said, and the failure to name the airports in Kerala also undermined the letter's credibility.
PTI reports the letter said about 10 al-Qaeda terrorists will break the security cordon and carry out attacks at airports or aircraft.
It said there would be serial bomb blasts at the Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thiruvanthapuram airports.
Karnataka Director General of Police BS Sial said that the letter was addressed to the Airport Director and was found by a member of the staff in a room that was under construction for the installation of an ATM machine.
The letter didn't mention Bangalore airport, but security has been heightened there as well. Passengers are being frisked at departure terminals of all airports and even vehicles are being searched.
"Bangalore is a hyper-sensitive airport. We've always had security here, bu now we have enhanced it. However, none of the passengers will be able to see the changes or will be subjected to any inconvenience. We will enhance surveillance and screen all baggage and people coming in and out of the airport," said Director of Bangalore airport Narendra Kaushal.
All airlines operating in south India have been asked to take anti-hijacking measures and make frisking more stringent. All necessary security measures have been put in place at all the airports to thwart any attack, officials said.
The measures included secondary ladder point check and thorough baggage check besides increased security at peripheral areas.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered that all security systems should be in place. Air passengers bound to and from southern cities have been asked to report early at airports.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken up the matter seriously and held a series of meetings with officials of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Home Ministry and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for reviewing the situation.
Source: IBN LIVE
The letter warned that "al Qaeda terrorists" had planted "modern explosives" at Chennai airport, three others airports in Tamil Nadu and some airports in Kerala.
Titled "Allah Osama", it also warned of car bombs and was found on Wednesday by an airport worker at a counter at Thiruchirapally airport in Tamil Nadu.
"We are on high alert," said A Subramaniyam, a top Tamil Nadu police intelligence officer.
"We cannot take such threats lightly in the prevailing sensitive situation across the globe," he said.
Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the letter was "obviously a hoax but we will take no chances".
No Muslim would combine Allah's name with a man's name like Osama, he said, and the failure to name the airports in Kerala also undermined the letter's credibility.
PTI reports the letter said about 10 al-Qaeda terrorists will break the security cordon and carry out attacks at airports or aircraft.
It said there would be serial bomb blasts at the Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thiruvanthapuram airports.
Karnataka Director General of Police BS Sial said that the letter was addressed to the Airport Director and was found by a member of the staff in a room that was under construction for the installation of an ATM machine.
The letter didn't mention Bangalore airport, but security has been heightened there as well. Passengers are being frisked at departure terminals of all airports and even vehicles are being searched.
"Bangalore is a hyper-sensitive airport. We've always had security here, bu now we have enhanced it. However, none of the passengers will be able to see the changes or will be subjected to any inconvenience. We will enhance surveillance and screen all baggage and people coming in and out of the airport," said Director of Bangalore airport Narendra Kaushal.
All airlines operating in south India have been asked to take anti-hijacking measures and make frisking more stringent. All necessary security measures have been put in place at all the airports to thwart any attack, officials said.
The measures included secondary ladder point check and thorough baggage check besides increased security at peripheral areas.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered that all security systems should be in place. Air passengers bound to and from southern cities have been asked to report early at airports.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken up the matter seriously and held a series of meetings with officials of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Home Ministry and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for reviewing the situation.
Source: IBN LIVE
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Airport plans for Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi !!!
With Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday urging the Centre to implement six major projects in the State, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured him that the "welfare and prosperity of the people of Tamil Nadu are very close to the heart of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government."
Dr. Singh announced that the Centre would soon begin work on the modernisation of Chennai airport and plans were being made for the development of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi airports.
After laying foundation stone for the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, he said, "for the past two and a half years, we have been working hard to take this State to new levels of development." The UPA Government would create a positive environment for the growth of the State, the Prime Minister said.
The Railways had been asked to examine the feasibility of extending the dedicated freight corridor to the south, including Tamil Nadu, Dr. Singh said, adding that the Centre would support the efforts to develop Colachel Port into a major container port once the feasibility report was completed.
"We will also support the desalination project for Chennai which is our solemn commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme," he said.
Detroit of India
Describing Tamil Nadu as the "Detroit of India," he said the setting up of the GARC as part of the comprehensive National Automotive Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project would push the automobile industry in the State and in the southern region to new frontiers. It would also enable the automobile and auto components industry to achieve global standards, he said.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said though the country faced many challenges, they could be successfully met under the leadership of the Prime Minister, endeavour of his Ministerial colleagues and guidance of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He urged Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi to sanction new schemes such as setting up of a major port in Colachel, implementing common effluent treatment projects, extending financial assistance for the desalination plant, modernising the Chennai airport, introducing bullet train service between Chennai and Madurai and Chennai and Coimbatore and ensuring successful implementation of the project announcing Tamil as a classical language, besides giving annual awards named after Tamil sages `Tholkappiar" and "Valluvar."
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu earmarked 304 acres of land for the GARC project, which would convert Chennai into an automobile hub. The GARC would provide employment to 3,000 persons, mostly locals, he said.
Auto sector potential
Mr. Karunanidhi said the State had the potential to record six to seven-fold increase in the auto sector output and the projected size of the industry was $15 billion to $20 billion by 2015, he said.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev and Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Kanti Singh highlighted the significance of the GARC.
Source: The Hindu
Dr. Singh announced that the Centre would soon begin work on the modernisation of Chennai airport and plans were being made for the development of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi airports.
After laying foundation stone for the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Oragadam, he said, "for the past two and a half years, we have been working hard to take this State to new levels of development." The UPA Government would create a positive environment for the growth of the State, the Prime Minister said.
The Railways had been asked to examine the feasibility of extending the dedicated freight corridor to the south, including Tamil Nadu, Dr. Singh said, adding that the Centre would support the efforts to develop Colachel Port into a major container port once the feasibility report was completed.
"We will also support the desalination project for Chennai which is our solemn commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme," he said.
Detroit of India
Describing Tamil Nadu as the "Detroit of India," he said the setting up of the GARC as part of the comprehensive National Automotive Testing and Research and Development Infrastructure Project would push the automobile industry in the State and in the southern region to new frontiers. It would also enable the automobile and auto components industry to achieve global standards, he said.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said though the country faced many challenges, they could be successfully met under the leadership of the Prime Minister, endeavour of his Ministerial colleagues and guidance of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He urged Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi to sanction new schemes such as setting up of a major port in Colachel, implementing common effluent treatment projects, extending financial assistance for the desalination plant, modernising the Chennai airport, introducing bullet train service between Chennai and Madurai and Chennai and Coimbatore and ensuring successful implementation of the project announcing Tamil as a classical language, besides giving annual awards named after Tamil sages `Tholkappiar" and "Valluvar."
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu earmarked 304 acres of land for the GARC project, which would convert Chennai into an automobile hub. The GARC would provide employment to 3,000 persons, mostly locals, he said.
Auto sector potential
Mr. Karunanidhi said the State had the potential to record six to seven-fold increase in the auto sector output and the projected size of the industry was $15 billion to $20 billion by 2015, he said.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev and Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Kanti Singh highlighted the significance of the GARC.
Source: The Hindu
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Sri Lankan Airlines in expansion mode
Under a more liberalised civil aviation policy between India and Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Airlines will operate a weekly flight to Coimbatore and Pune.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries on cooperation in civil aviation, originally signed in 2002, was renewed here at the end of two-day talks.
As per the new MoU, the Sri Lanka Airlines will operate an additional daily flight to Mumbai. Besides, the national carrier will be allowed to operate an additional daily flight to Bangalore from April 2008 once the new airport in the metro city is operational.
At present the Sri Lankan Airlines is allowed to operate on a daily basis to six Indian metropolises. In addition, India has permitted the carrier to make any number of trips to 18 designated tourist destinations. As a special case, the airline is given the facility to operate 15 flights to Chennai on a weekly basis.
As a carrier, which operates 36 flights to India in a week, Sri Lanka Airlines is the single largest foreign airline. In the next two weeks the Airlines is scheduled to start two weekly flights to Goa.
In a related development, the proposed new agreement between the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) and the Government of Sri Lanka has been delayed. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, LIOC, and Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), told a news conference here that the delay was due to technical reasons and he was hopeful that the pact would be concluded soon.
LIOC business plans
Talking about business plans of LIOC, Mr. Behuria said the lube oil blending plant at Trincomalee with an annual capacity of 18 million litres and an investment of $5 million would be completed by June next year.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries on cooperation in civil aviation, originally signed in 2002, was renewed here at the end of two-day talks.
As per the new MoU, the Sri Lanka Airlines will operate an additional daily flight to Mumbai. Besides, the national carrier will be allowed to operate an additional daily flight to Bangalore from April 2008 once the new airport in the metro city is operational.
At present the Sri Lankan Airlines is allowed to operate on a daily basis to six Indian metropolises. In addition, India has permitted the carrier to make any number of trips to 18 designated tourist destinations. As a special case, the airline is given the facility to operate 15 flights to Chennai on a weekly basis.
As a carrier, which operates 36 flights to India in a week, Sri Lanka Airlines is the single largest foreign airline. In the next two weeks the Airlines is scheduled to start two weekly flights to Goa.
In a related development, the proposed new agreement between the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) and the Government of Sri Lanka has been delayed. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, LIOC, and Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), told a news conference here that the delay was due to technical reasons and he was hopeful that the pact would be concluded soon.
LIOC business plans
Talking about business plans of LIOC, Mr. Behuria said the lube oil blending plant at Trincomalee with an annual capacity of 18 million litres and an investment of $5 million would be completed by June next year.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Priority for Coimbatore airport expansion sought
Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan has appealed to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to include the Coimbatore airport in the first phase of expansion plan.
The Madurai airport has been included in the first phase and Coimbatore in the second phase.
Mr. Subbarayan said he had written to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
The Minister expressed his inability, citing delay in land acquisition by the State Government. Mr. Karunanidhi should intervene and expedite land acquisition, besides taking up the issue with the Union Ministry, he said.
Source: The Hindu
The Madurai airport has been included in the first phase and Coimbatore in the second phase.
Mr. Subbarayan said he had written to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
The Minister expressed his inability, citing delay in land acquisition by the State Government. Mr. Karunanidhi should intervene and expedite land acquisition, besides taking up the issue with the Union Ministry, he said.
Source: The Hindu
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