ATAI bats for regional airports

August 5, 2014

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Representatives of airlines, AAI and govt. to meet on August 24

The Air Travellers Association of India has stepped up pressure on the government for reutilisation of old airports constructed long ago and establishment of regional airports in Srikakulam, Nellore, Ongole, Tadepalligudem of West Godavari district, Badangi of Vizianagaram district and other places to meet the future needs of passengers.

The organisation hailed the decision of the government to construct airports in all districts while cautioning that places should be selected strategically to ensure sufficient air traffic from the particular area.

The Association will organise a meeting in Visakhapatnam on August 24 in Visakhapatnam with representatives of airlines, Airport Authority of India and State government. Establishment of regional airports is going to top the agenda of the meeting in which Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju will participate as the chief guest. Association national president D.Varada Reddy held a review meeting with Srikakulam representatives including Natukula Mohan, Korada Haragopal, Kondababu and others here on Monday. He felt that either Etcherla or Narasannapeta would be the right choice for setting up an airport in Srikakulam district so that it could cater the needs of nearby districts of Odisha.

“Hundreds of travellers are forced to travel to Vizag to catch flights. Regional airports will certainly benefit people,” said Mr.Varada Reddy.

“At present, Odisha commuters have to travel either to Berahampur or Vishakapatnam to fly to Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi,” he added.

The Air Travellers Association will request airlines to operate more international services from Visakhapatnam since Indian Navy permitted operations in nights, he said.

Source:The Hindu