GMR still not sure when it will get going

GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has developed the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad ahead of schedule, but the company officials are not in a position to tell when the new facility will commence commercial operations even three days after its inauguration.

"We are ready in all aspects but waiting for a nod from the ministry of civil aviation to begin operations," a GHIAL spokesperson told Business Standard.

GHIAL had earlier announced that commercial operations would commence from March 16. But, at the last minute it was asked to postpone the start of operations by the civil aviation ministry.

According to the developers of the greenfield airport, some airlines have approached the civil aviation ministry seeking more time to begin operations from the new airport. Acceding to their request, the ministry has advised GHIAL to postpone operations by a few days.

It is learnt that most of the private airlines, including domestic and international carriers, are yet to enter into an agreement with the new airport's two ground handlers "" Menzies Aviation & Bobba and Singapore Airport Terminal Services, Air India and Indian Airlines consortium. The private airlines are stated to be still negotiating with the two concessioners regarding the handling charges.

GHIAL spokesperson said the developer had no role in fixing the handling charges. "We have given ground handling concessions long ago and it is between the concessioners and the airlines to enter into an agreement in this regard. GHIAL can only fix a maximum ceiling amount so as to ensure that the charges are not exorbitant."

The ceiling amount fixed by GHIAL ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the type and weight of the aircraft. Incidentally, GHIAL had set up a joint co-ordination committee of all stakeholders to avoid such glitches but to no avail.