The Hindu Business Line : Blueprint to make Hyderabad major aviation destination

ANDHRA Pradesh will become a major aviation destination in the country if plans of several international carriers such as British Airways (BA) and Lufthansa to operate direct flights to Hyderabad fructify.

Launch of services by BA and Lufthansa would mean a lot of savings in time and effort for passengers, Capt. S.N. Reddy, Aviation Advisor and Special Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh, told Business Line.

"Each of these airlines connects 23 destinations in the United States. This would result in saving of time and effort," he said.

"BA moots a direct London-Hyderabad flight, while Lufthansa proposes Frankfurt-Hyderabad flight," he said.

Saudi, Kuwait, Gulf and Thai airlines, too, showed interest to connect Hyderabad. "We are going to meet officials of Thai and Air Nepal soon," he said.

Some of these international carriers also have bigger plans. "We have asked the Government to permit a Singapore airliner to operate Boeing 777. Even Qatar is finding it difficult to carry heavy traffic of passengers," Capt Reddy said.

Increasing cargo potential was another reason for making airlines seek sanction for higher capacity services.

Andhra Pradesh, which is in the process of preparing a blueprint to make the State an aviation hub, is betting on geographical and weather advantages of the city vis-à-vis other metros.

Fair weather throughout the year and low relative humidity put the city in an advantageous position, while other metros faced conditions like heavy monsoon rains, humidity, severe winter, depressions and cyclones.

"Moreover, you can fly to any Indian destination in one-and-half to two hours from Hyderabad," he said.

Keeping in view the increasing traffic, the State launched efforts to pep up infrastructure at major airports.

"The expansion works at the Begumpet airport would enhance the runway to 10,800 ft from the present 9,000 ft to facilitate landing of bigger aircraft," he said.

The runway at Visakhapatnam airport, too, would be expanded to 10,000 ft by June, 2005," he said.

This would be a shot-in-the-arm for the State, as several international charter operators, particularly from land-locked nations around Russia, were willing to fly in.

"They have a special liking for beaches that are safe and good. Visakpahatnam fits well. Once the runway expansion is over, they can land their charters there," he added.

Night landing facilities at Tirupati would be completed soon once the shifting of airport's navigation facility was completed in concurrence with the runaway.

"This will result in better utilisation of aircraft and convenience to passengers," Capt Reddy said.

The Government, which offers special incentives such as lower sales tax on ATF, sees a spurt in low-cost service providers.

"We offer zero sales tax for small aircraft. Also, the international airport at Shamshabad will have a special zone for low-cost players," he said.

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