The long wait seems to be over. After a hiatus of six years, Kandla Airport might see a commercial airplane touching down on its runway. |
Air Deccan, the Bangalore-based low cost air service provider, has shown willingness to start a direct flight to Mumbai from Kandla. |
The move has also got a thumbs up from the industry. The Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has guaranteed the air service provider a 75 per cent occupancy both ways for all the morning flights. |
"We guarantee a 75 per cent of occupancy both ways. But the flight should leave Mumbai at 5.30 am and the return flight should leave Kandla around 8 am," said Babulal A Singhvi, president of GCCI. |
The Ernest & Young survey had already indicated that Kandla has vast potential for air passenger traffic and air cargo traffic. |
John Kuruvilla, chief revenue officer of Air Deccan has said, "We found there is a need of a direct flight from Kandla to Mumbai. But before that we have to check the viability of passenger in the route before to start a direct flight from Kandla to Mumbai." |
S S R Rao, regional executive director of Airport Authority of India (AAI), said," We are ready to provide service from Kandla. The authority will take 45-60 days to provide all facilities. But before that the service provider has to sign an agreement with the Airport Authority of India. |
"To provide a regular service in airports, it needs a different set up and it costs almost Rs 4-5 lakh. The problems come when these service providers suddenly withdraw their services and all the investment go waste." |
It was six years ago that Kandla airport had its last flight. Vayudoot used to operate flights at the Kandla airport. After the airline shut shop, the now-defunct Gujarat Airways carried out servicesbetween Mumbai and Kandla before it too discontinued its service. |
The 20-years old airport has a 5,000-feet runway that will allow ATR aircraft traffic. |