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If everything goes well, International flights from Chandigarh Airport would commence by next year. Sources in the Industry mentioned that recently the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has given the go ahead to Indigo and SpiceJet to commence International flights from the Chandigarh airport. Initially, these airlines may operate flights between Chandigarh and Dubai.
Sources further disclosed, that it is premature to say that when these airlines would commence operation as there are so many requisite approvals need to be obtained before commencing operations. He further added that getting approval from the ministry is one of the preliminary requirement among the various approval, so it will take time.
On getting the clearance for international operations, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) mentioned that this is in the interest of the economy and citizens of the region. “CII, at all levels has been pursuing this matter with the Ministries of Defence & Civil Aviation. The industry is upbeat about this development and is looking forward to the commencement of flights soon. It would save a lot of time for all of us”, said Man Mohan Singh, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council.
It is worth noting that there is huge potential in this part of the country for commencing International flights. Earlier, Punjab Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation Viswajeet Khanna said, “ There is huge potential as 15-20 per cent of the total traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi originates from this part of the country especially Punjab, Chandigarh and some areas of Haryana in the vicinity of Chandigarh.”
The issue of operating international flights from Chandigarh has been hanging fire since long. Also, in 2009, the ministry gave clearance to Fly Dubai, a low-cost carrier of Emirates, for international operations from Chandigarh to Dubai but it remained on paper and never conceptualised.
It is worth mentioning that the new terminal building of the Chandigarh Airport capable of handling 500 passengers was made operational in 2011, with an estimated project cost of Rs 78 crore. The new terminal building with an area of about 12,150 square meters was fully air-conditioned with modern passenger-friendly facilities, three aerobridges, with visual docking guidance system, escalators, elevators, baggage conveyor belts, CCTVs etc.
In addition to this, come February 2015, Chandigarh will have state-of-the-art Integrated International airport terminal building built with a project cost of Rs 450 crore. The terminal will have capacity to handle 1600 passengers(1150-Domestic & 450-International) and the proposed covered area will be 40,000 square meters. For executing the project, construction major-L & T construction has been entrusted by AAI.
The upcoming airport will have provision for future expansion in three phases. Once, the first phase reach to saturation level, then second phase would be developed and later on the third phase. It is estimated that passengers traffic will be 15 lakh till 2014 as at present it is 8 lakh from Chandigarh as per an AAI survey.
Sources further disclosed, that it is premature to say that when these airlines would commence operation as there are so many requisite approvals need to be obtained before commencing operations. He further added that getting approval from the ministry is one of the preliminary requirement among the various approval, so it will take time.
On getting the clearance for international operations, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) mentioned that this is in the interest of the economy and citizens of the region. “CII, at all levels has been pursuing this matter with the Ministries of Defence & Civil Aviation. The industry is upbeat about this development and is looking forward to the commencement of flights soon. It would save a lot of time for all of us”, said Man Mohan Singh, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council.
It is worth noting that there is huge potential in this part of the country for commencing International flights. Earlier, Punjab Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation Viswajeet Khanna said, “ There is huge potential as 15-20 per cent of the total traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi originates from this part of the country especially Punjab, Chandigarh and some areas of Haryana in the vicinity of Chandigarh.”
The issue of operating international flights from Chandigarh has been hanging fire since long. Also, in 2009, the ministry gave clearance to Fly Dubai, a low-cost carrier of Emirates, for international operations from Chandigarh to Dubai but it remained on paper and never conceptualised.
It is worth mentioning that the new terminal building of the Chandigarh Airport capable of handling 500 passengers was made operational in 2011, with an estimated project cost of Rs 78 crore. The new terminal building with an area of about 12,150 square meters was fully air-conditioned with modern passenger-friendly facilities, three aerobridges, with visual docking guidance system, escalators, elevators, baggage conveyor belts, CCTVs etc.
In addition to this, come February 2015, Chandigarh will have state-of-the-art Integrated International airport terminal building built with a project cost of Rs 450 crore. The terminal will have capacity to handle 1600 passengers(1150-Domestic & 450-International) and the proposed covered area will be 40,000 square meters. For executing the project, construction major-L & T construction has been entrusted by AAI.
The upcoming airport will have provision for future expansion in three phases. Once, the first phase reach to saturation level, then second phase would be developed and later on the third phase. It is estimated that passengers traffic will be 15 lakh till 2014 as at present it is 8 lakh from Chandigarh as per an AAI survey.
