Passenger facilities increased in airport: AAI

Hyderabad, Sept 4 (UNI) Director Begumpet Airport (Airports Authority of India) R K Singla has said more amenities were created at the airport to cater to the needs of the increasing passenger traffic at the airport.

Participating at an interactive meeting with the members of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) here today, he said the domestic passenger traffic during 2006-07 was 46,66,526 and the International passenger traffic was 12,05,721 during the same period.

Mr Singla said the Begumpet airport was handling 731 domestic flights and 93 international flights per week and major infrastructure had been provided at the airport and added four more parking bays to the existing nine parking bays at the airport.

The Director said the Begumpet airport was sixth largest airport in the country with highest security arrangements and 24 hour health facilities for the passengers.

He said the total revenue for the airport had been increased to Rs 177.28 crore during 2006-07 against Rs 135.5 crore in 2005-06 and the total expenditure was Rs 46.50 crore as against Rs 38.36 crore during the same period.

He said the domestic cargo handled by the airport touched to 22,934 tonnes and the International cargo was 21,715 tonnes.

Mr Singla said of the total 435 employees at the airport, some of them would be repatriated to the New International Airport coming at Shamshabad.

Vice-President of the GMR group, A Vishwanath said the new International airport at Shamshabad would be operational from March next year. The International airport was coming up with Public Private participation with several facilities, includidng a 300-hotel room hotel for the passengers, he added.

He said there would be a passenger village in the airport and there was no entry fees at the aiport.

He said the airport was designed to handle 12 million passengers per annum with 4060 metre runway for the initial stage and it would be expanded as per the needs.

The Chamber members urged the Director to reduce the parking fee at the Begumpet airport as Rs 120 was too high, for which, he said it was decided by the headquarters.

President of FAPCCI Atluri Subba Rao, Chairman Consumer Relations Committee FAPCCI V V Sanyasi Rao explained the various activities of the FAPCCI and suggested measures to further improve the facilities at the airport.

UNI