While the non operation of flight services from Coimbatore to foreign destinations has created dissatisfaction among the industry and general passengers, Airport Officials explained that the undue delay in the air expansion work was the main cause.
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore International Airport is being used by air passengers from seven districts in and around Coimbatore.
Considering the growth of city, the airport expansion plan was announced in 2010 and the land acquisition for 627 acres commenced.
However, undue delay is caused due to land acquisiton and the Tamil Nadu government has not yet handed over the land to the Airports Authority of India. The non-commencement of flights from Coimbatore to foreign countries has created resentment among the industrial sector.
Nandakumar, Coordinator of Kongu Global Forum (KGF) said that at present the runway at Coimbatore airport is only 9,760 feet and this has to be extended to handle bigger aircrafts.
It is very sad that the international flight service has not been increased till date despite several requests made by many foreign airlines (wide body) . However many wide body aircrafts are currently diverted due to various reasons including inclement weather at Cochin to Coimbatore.
"The Government of Tamil Nadu has expedited the acquisition of land for the expansion project. Since more than 80 per cent of the work has been completed, it should be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at the earliest", he said.
According to Coimbatore Airport officials, there are two types of large aircrafts, namely, narrow body and wide body. Multinational airlines use both types of aircraft for their services.
"While narrow body type aircraft can be easily handled in Coimbatore, there has to be little more care in dealing with whitebody aircraft"
"The aircraft used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the wide body type. The aircraft landed and took off once in Coimbatore during the Prime Minister's visit" the officials said.
"If the efforts are expedited to increase the runway length to 12,000 feet, the aircraft of the wide body type can be easily handled. Apart from this, the airport can also be equipped with the necessary infrastructure facilities and amenities for the passengers. Only then many foreign airlines will also start showing interest in commencing international flights to Coimbatore" the officials said.