Trichy Airport in runners-up in B category

The fire station in Tiruchi Airport will be upgraded from category ‘7' to category ‘9' for handling wide bodied aircrafts once the runway is expanded, D.Devaraj, Regional Executive Director, Southern Region, Airports Authority of India, said on Wednesday.

The State government was keen to hand over acquired land for the runway extension.

The buildings could be expanded under modular concept, Mr.Devaraj said, conferring ‘Best Fire Station Award' to the fire station team in the Tiruchi Airport. The Tiruchi Airport bagged the runner-up trophy ceding the top position to Mangalore Airport among ‘B' category airports.

Unveiling a plan for additional counters in Tiruchi Airport, he said a few airlines have evinced interest in launching operations.

Tiruchi Airport will be brought into the radar network along with the Tiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad and Mangalore airports for seamless surveillance.

Operation in the ‘shadow mode' will be conducted on August 15, he said, informing that the radar network system was unique in southern region. Equipment was ready for tower automation in small airports, he said.

The master plan for flight management based on GAGAN (GPS aided Geo augmented navigation) in coordination with Indian Space Research Organisation was in final phase.

It will make possible seamless navigation through GPS (Global Positioning System) and pave way for direct routing of airlines. Further development of Tiruchi airport hinges on additional land availability, Mr.Devaraj said.

Presiding over K.V.Murali, General Manager (Aero), Southern Region, AAI, Chennai, said there was scope for Tiruchi airport to attain the first position by improving performance, knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Referring to the profession of fire staff as challenging, he said they make a difference between life and death for many in critical situations. He emphasised on how a sense of commitment could lead to achievement in all spheres.

Mr.Murali and Mr.Gajpe, Joint General Manager (Aero), Southern Region, AAI, Chennai, joined Mr.Devaraj in honouring the fire station team with trophy and certificates.

S.Dharmaraj, Airport Director, said the Tiruchi Airport has done well to achieve the runner up position among category B stations, and would work for attaining the first spot next ye