AP Govt mulls using Begumpet Airport for general services

Hyderabad, Jul 9 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government is seriously considering utilising the Begumpet Airport, which was closed for Civil Aviation Operations since midnight of March 23, 2008, for activities like general aviation services and air shows.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy recently wrote a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on using the Begumpet Airport during national emergency or by aircraft owned or operated by Indian Air Force or other wing of the Armed Forces as published in the Gazette of India dated March 20, 2008, according to a press release here.

General aviation services (other than those relating to commercial aircrafts, charter flights, and air craft hired or operated under commercial arrangements) may continue to be provided at the existing airport at Begumpet notwithstanding the exclusion of Civil Aviation Operations for commercial aircrafts, the Chief Minister said.

Considering the growth of aviation sector in India, and Hyderabad emerging as aviation in particular, he stressed the need to project the city as a hub. This could be achieved by marketing the city as one of the best destinations in India.

For this purpose, the Chief Minister proposed to utilize Begumpet Airport by using it for hosting air shows.

UNI VA GM RL AS1823