Representatives from various regions including Tirupur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Pollachi, Niligris and our city gathered under one roof to discuss on what steps need to be taken in order to ensure that the Coimbatore International Airport project moves ahead.
A press meet was called this evening by The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Coimbatore Chapter.
Addressing the media, ICCI President, Vanitha Mohan said “Collectively we should get together and do something about this. This is why we have formed the Kongu Global Forum. We are looking at achieving short and long term airport expansion goals. We have come together to ensure that our demand for better air connectivity is met.
In the year 2012, our Airport was declared as an international airport and till date we have just two international flights that operate from Coimbatore airport.”
“Now that we have formally formed a committee, we will fix a meeting with the central minister and ensure that our demands are met. We will work towards getting carrier rights. Air Asia has agreed to operate flights from our airport once we get carrier rights. Only through lobbying we can get carrier rights.”
Commenting on the land acquisition process, Vanitha Mohan who is also Head of the Kongu Global Forum said “Land acquisition is an entirely different subject altogether and this will be taken care of by the state government.” She told the media
At this press meet, Prakash Reddy, Director of the Coimbatore Airport said “The Coimbatore International Airport on a daily basis handles about 2.5 to 3 tons of domestic cargo. Due to lack of connectivity, we are unable to handle international cargo. Once the international connectivity improves at the Coimbatore Airport, we will be able to handle international cargo too.”
“The land acquisition is taking place in a phased manner. In the first phase, we aim at acquiring 45 to 50 acres of land and in this phase the safety norms will be met. In the second phase, we have plans of acquiring nearly 300 acres of land and building expansion will be taken care of in this phase and finally in the third and our final phase of land acquisition, we wish to acquire another 300 acres and runway expansion will be incorporated.”
Commenting on the ongoing land acquisition tussle, Prakash Reddy told the media that there is a deadlock between the (private) land owners and the government. “The land owners are demanding a high value in return of their land and those who are representing the government are negotiating on the cost. we are hoping to achieve a win-win situation.”
Currently, 20 lakh passengers from Coimbatore fly domestic airlines annually and only a lakh passengers fly International routes. If the International connectivity from our Coimbatore International Airport improves, we will produce more air international passengers. As far as connectivity is concerned, on priority for the Kongu Global Forum is introducing air connectivity from the Coimbatore International Airport to the Middle East, Thailand and Malaysia.
July 15th 2017, Air Sri Lanka is all set to operate its flight, four days a week from the Coimbatore International Airport.