The Hindu Business Line : Divergent views on Begumpet airport closure

THE proposed closure of Begumpet airport after the new international airport at Shamsabad commences its operations in 2008 has kicked off animated discussion on the viability of the city having a new airport.

Those opposed to the closure move argue that the existing airport could meet the requirements of the city for 10 more years. But civil industry experts said the airport would be saturated going by the increase in traffic, both in terms of airlines and passenger traffic.

"We (the CPM) are opposing the move. It (the existing airport) will be sufficient for our needs in the next ten years," Mr P. Madhu, senior CPM leader and Rajya Sabha member, told Business Line.

An official estimate had stated that the international terminal would reach full capacity by 2007-08 and the domestic terminal by 2016-17. This, however, was based on conservative growth estimates of 10 per cent and five per cent respectively.

The growth was much more faster in the country. Official figures said that the domestic traffic in the country grew by 24.7 per cent and international traffic increased by 18 per cent.

"There are nearly 10 international airlines operating their services to and out of Hyderabad. As it is the airport is crowded and there is no scope for expansion," an Indian Airlines official said.

Mr Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, had said that the thrice-a-week service to Oman had been running with full capacity. "We might ask the Civil Aviation Ministry for permission to operate daily services," he said during the official launch of the service last week.

"The existing airport is in the heart of the city. It is surrounded by residential areas all around, leaving no scope for further expansion," the IA official said.

"The traffic scene outside the airport too had become worse lately. You come in the evening and see," he said.

The shorter runway is forcing A340s and B747s to operate below the capacity.

It was not just for passengers and airlines. The existing airport was not future-proof for cargo too.

The Rs 1,418-crore airport at Shamsabad is being promoted by GMR Group (63 per cent stake), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (11 per cent), Government of Andhra Pradesh (13 per cent) and Airports Authority of India (13 per cent).

Air Sahara, which had recently made Hyderabad its hub, had kept the upcoming international airport in mind as it drafted its hub plans.

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