New airport terminal by Dec 2009: Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 19: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today informed the state Assembly that work on the new terminal at the International Airport here will be completed by December next year.

Replying to questions, he said the new terminal would have facilities for handling 500 passengers each in the boarding and departure wings at a time. It would also have a parking bay for eight aircraft.

He said the land for the proposed hanger unit for maintenance of aircraft would be handed over to the authorities concerned soon.

Regarding the proposed airport at Kannur, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Central Government would give sanction in principle for the project soon.

A decision had already been taken to acquire 2,000 acres of land under fast track mechanism for the project. Ten acres of land adjacent to the airport would be given to the Defence on lease for setting up Naval enclave, he said.

UNI