Govt mulls moving general aviation activities to Juhu

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New Delhi March 26

In an effort to decongest Mumbai airport, the Government is considering a proposal to move all general aviation related activities to Juhu airport.

"An international consultant appointed by the Government has suggested that general aviation activities in Mumbai be shifted to Juhu airport. The proposal is being examined by the Government but no firm decision has yet been taken," the Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Mr K. Ramalingam, said on Monday.

technical advisors

A company each from India and Sweden have been appointed as the global technical advisors for the project, sources said.

The implementation of the proposal would mean that private aircraft, helicopters, charters and small cargo aircraft would operate to and from Juhu instead of the existing Mumbai airport.

"Small aircraft take time to clear the airfield and therefore hold up the movement of larger aircraft. The implementation of the project will help ease the congestion," officials said.

aircraft movement

Besides, to facilitate aircraft movement in Delhi, authorities would soon increase the hours that both the runways would remain open for use, the AAI Chairman, said. "Soon both the runways would remain open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Similarly at Chennai and Kolkata the airports are being upgraded.

All these steps will help the airlines get over congestion problems faced at the airport," Mr Ramalingam said.

Focusing on airports in South India, the AAI Chairman said that while night landing facilities were now available at Tirupati, the airports at Salem and Madurai were also being upgraded. "The design for the new terminal building at Madurai has been approved. Besides, Salem is to be on the air map with Air Deccan indicating an eagerness to operate flights there," Mr Ramalingam said.

Taken from Business Line

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