The Hindu Business Line : Vizag airport still waiting for night landing facilities

Visakhapatnam airport, with a new 10,000-ft runway and instrument landing system, is still waiting for night-landing facility, even though the authorities have made repeated announcements in the past six months that all is set for night flights.

The airport, which is under the control of the Navy, has to obtain clearance from the Union Defence Ministry for allowing commercial flights at nights.

Right now, the flights are being operated only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only if night landing facility is made available will more operators flock to Visakhapatnam.

Airlines interested

It is learnt that many airlines are interested in operating flights to Vizag, but the main drawback still remains.

The instrument landing system (ILS) at the airport was installed at the airport five months ago and subsequently it was tested and certified by the authorities. However, it is learnt that the Navy is not fully satisfied with the facilities, even though the Airports Authority of India has no such reservations.

Personnel shortage

Besides, it is said, the Navy is also facing the problem of personnel shortage to operate the night landing facility.

For one reason or the other, the facility is not being commissioned and the growth of the airport, which is the essential pre-requisite for the fast development of the city, is being impeded.

In spite of the handicaps and poor infrastructure, during the past few years, there has been impressive growth in passenger traffic.

The number of air travellers between April and October this year was over 2.5 lakh and the figure is expected to touch the half-million mark by the end of the financial year.

No more flooding

According to Mr C. Pattabhi, the airport controller, the flooding of the runway was prevented this year because of the flood control measures taken by the State Government and work is in progress on the new terminal.

“The passenger traffic is growing at 30 per cent per annum here for the past few years. Many more airlines are willing to operate flights to Vizag. The airport will really become busy in future,” he said.

But it all depends on how soon the night landing facility is made available at the airport.

More Stories on : Modernisation | Infrastructure | Andhra Pradesh

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

Stories in this Section
Vizag airport still waiting for night landing facilities

AAI gets approval for mini-ratna status

GoAir receives 2nd A320 aircraft

Air Chief flies advanced light copter Dhruv

Krishnapatnam port first phase to be ready by June

Pvt shipbuilding cos investing Rs 18,500 cr to expand capacity

Delay pushes up Kochi LNG terminal cost

Frequent strikes a threat to Kochi box terminal: DP World

Computerised rly receipt system