During November 2021, Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) sent a letter to Ministry of Civil Aviation in which various issues were raised regarding development of Coimbatore airport. Civil Aviation Ministry has given hope through its reply!
Coimbatore: Coimbatore International Airport is serving the aviation needs of people from surrounding seven districts. The airport has got international status, but still only three flight services are provided in the international sector namely to Sharjah, Singapore and Colombo.
Considering the future growth, industry associations continue to make representations to the state and the central governments. During November 2021, Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) sent a letter to Ministry of Civil Aviation in which various issues were raised regarding development of Coimbatore airport.
In a reply, Ministry of Civil Aviation has sent a letter to 'CODISSIA' yesterday (January 6, Thursday).
Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA), President, M.V.Ramesh Babu said, "We are happy to receive the reply from Ministry of Civil Aviation to our letter regarding Coimbatore International Airport.
Ministry has given reply on domestic connections, Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and airport expansion.
Air Connectivity
Presently Coimbatore airport is connecting cities such as Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Mangalore. Further airlines can plan schedule on a specific route, cities based on market demand, commercial feasibility and their company policy. Prior to 'Covid-19' Pandemic, Coimbatore airport has direct flights to Colombo, Singapore and Sharjah.
Post Pandemic outbreak services can be provided to Sharjah under Air Bubble Arrangement.
Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA)
Operations of foreign airlines are governed by 'BASA' between Coimbatore and respective country. As per 'BASA' any designated foreign airline can operate schedule services to/from a point (Airport) in India. Regarding the BASA arrangement, aviation ministry said, Indian designated carriers are free to mount schedule Operations to / from any destinations under the ambit of bilateral air service agreements concluded by India with foreign countries. However, start of international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of the airlines on the basis of economic viability of the route and other associated factors.
Airport Expansion
For the upgradation of Coimbatore International Airport, The Airport Authority of India has requested Tamilnadu government to acquire land and hand it over to AAI which will help to expand the existing runway and establish Infrastructures. The land is yet to be handed over by state government.
We hope after the 'Covid-19', 3rd wave and omicron virus outbreak spread literally reduces, Coimbatore International Airport would witness start of many new services both in the Domestic and International Sectors."