The Hindu Business Line : CII urges upgradation of Madurai airport

The representation, made by the Vice-Chairman, Mr Ligi George, on behalf of the Chairman, Mr T. Johnson, has drawn attention to the move of airlines such as Jet Airways for additional flights in the context of increasing traffic, rising growth of Tuticorin as a hub, and the Sethusamudram project.

The project is expected to contribute to the development of industrial and marine-related activities in and around Tuticorin, attracting more business travel through the airport at Madurai.

It also pointed out to the efforts of Elcot to set up an IT park. Further, the rich culture and heritage of the city is bound to result in an increased tourist flow.

Currently, international travellers from the southern region, both business and tourist, have to take the flight out of Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, or Tiruchi which entails additional cost burden and consumption of time.

The traffic at the Madurai airport would increase further once special economic zones at Nanguneri and Tuticorin are commissioned.

Already, jasmine and fresh vegetables are being exported from the region to South Asia and Gulf countries.

TTK-LIG, Virudhunagar alone exports goods worth Rs 5 crore every year to the US, incurring freight charges of Rs 60 lakh.

There is also the possibility of substantial volume of garments from Tirupur leaving the country through Madurai; these exports are currently routed through Chennai and Kochi.

The representation given to the local MP, Mr P. Mohan, has also been sent to the MPs from all southern districts, the Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Executive Director, AAI New Delhi, and the Regional Executive Director (SR), AAI, Chennai.

It seeks an extension of runway, a terminal building that could segregate the international and domestic operations, and new air connectivity on Madurai-Kochi-Dubai, Madurai-Chennai-Colombo-Dubai, and Madurai-Chennai-Singapore routes, a CII release said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
HAL gets first shipment of Hawk production tools

Indian summer at Paris Air Show — Snecma-GE delivers 15,000th aircraft engine

CII urges upgradation of Madurai airport

Mangalore airport: Rs 3 cr okayed for land acquisition

Kolkata port proposes barge jetties at Haldia

SCI Q4 net jumps to Rs 611.13 cr

AP transport staff to go on stir