The Hindu Business Line : `AAI must be given free hand in modernisation'

THE need to modernise and expand the two airports in Mumbai, which recorded a 20-per cent growth in passenger traffic, was discussed at a meeting organised by the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI).

Issues such as overcrowding, transit facilities, immigration queues and use of the second runway to avoid airspace crowding were discussed.

Mr D. Sudhakara Reddy, President, APAI, said the issue was not privatisation but the need to deal with modernisation and infusion of funds to improve the airport infrastructure.

"The Airports Authority of India (AAI), if given a free hand and permitted to take up modernisation projects on a fast track, can carry out the task as effectively as any private player. The AAI has considerably improved the Chennai airport, which is one of the showpieces of AAI airports in the country," he said.

Mr Reddy suggested that a fast track, single window clearance body for rapid modernisation of the Mumbai airport, under the supervision of the AAI, be put in place. He said Terminal 1A at the airport could be converted into a dedicated Indian Airlines terminal for domestic and international flights.

Terminal 2A needs a revamp with installation of common user terminals to serve all international airlines, while Terminal 2B, which is closed, needs to be merged with 2A, he said.

Mr Peter Luethi, Chief Operating Officer of Jet Airways; Mr V.K. Monga, General Manager (Operations) of AAI; and Mr S. Ranganathan, Director (ground services) of Air India, also spoke at the meeting.

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