Port Blair Airport to go Intl, expansion on cards

Port Blair, Jun 20: The Veer Savarkar Airport at Port Blair ispoised to become an International Airport soon and would undergo majorexpansions to achieve international standards.

Official sources here said a notification had already been issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry to this effect on May 25.

Earlier, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Dr ManmohanSingh, had cleared the proposal in deference to the wishes of thepeople of the island territory.

Airport Officer D'Cruz told mediapersons here today that althoughno official communication had been received by his office yet, the AAIwas ready for the gigantic task ahead.

''Initially, the amenities in the terminal building will have tobe augmented to cater to the requirements of international flights,''Mr D'Cruz said.

''In the event of implementing the decision in the coming days,the timings for handling the domestic and international passengers willbe divided accordingly. While the forenoon hours will be utilised fordomestic flights, the international passengers can be handled from 1300hours onwards. This arrangement can be carried on till furtherexpansion of the terminal is complete,'' Mr D'Cruz said.

''The existing stretch of runway is adequate for the biggeraircrafts. However, more parking bays are required for handlingadditional traffic. Consequently, four more parking bays are beingconstructed at Port Blair airport, besides the two at present,'' theairport officer said.

However, Mr D'Cruz pointed out that rise in the level of windspeed in the afternoon here was considered as an impediment for theflights to take off during these hours.

Besides, lack of night landing facilities would have to be lookedinto by the aviation experts before operation of the internationalflights could be started.

UNI