Runway expansion set to get tail wind

With a passenger traffic of around 12 million, Trichy international airport is considered to be the fastest growing airport among tier two cities in the country with impressive performance in the cargo sector as well. Airport director K Gunasekaran told Vincent Arockiaraj who assumed charge last year that he is trying his best to launch domestic connectivity to various metro cities in the country from Trichy.
Q: What steps have you taken to strengthen domestic connectivity to Trichy? Leading domestic carriers don't seem keen to start services from here.
A: We have taken steps to connect Trichy to Bengaluru via Puducherry as well as have direct connectivity between Mumbai and Trichy. I'm happy to tell you that Indigo is also planning to operate from here. As far as the national carrier is concerned, Air lndia Express, which is a subsidiary of Air India, is already operating flights to Trichy.
Q: Trichy international airport has not been included in BASA (Bilateral Air Services Agreement) so far which has been restricting Arabian Gulf-based carriers from launching services to Trichy.
A: Trichy MP P Kumar has already taken this up with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. We are hopeful and positive about it.
Q: Airport Authority of India (AAI) plans to establish a new terminal building at a cost of Rs 951 crore even as the work for acquiring land for runway expansion has been dragging on for years.
A: The existing terminal building can handle only 250 passengers whereas we see more than 3,000 people arriving or departing a day. Regarding runway expansion, the land acquisition work is in progress. Though we can't set a time frame, all efforts are being taken by the state government to speed up Trichy airport development.


Q: It is alleged that the customs department has not been cooperating with AAI. The launch of the courier terminal and the electronic data interchange (EDI) have both been dragging on for years for want of customs clearance.
A: That's not correct. They are cooperative. The setting up of EDI was delayed due to technical reasons in New Delhi and it will be connected in three months. In the case of courier operation, we are awaiting a notification which I hope will be issued soon. This subject was recently discussed with the commissioner of customs and he has assured that the matter will be expedited.
Q: What do you consider as a major achievement after assuming office as Trichy international airport director?
A: It is the progress in land acquisition for runway expansion for which we'll get approval soon. Air connectivity with Abu Dhabi by Jet Airways and Sharjah-Trichy connectivity were also achieved with my sincere efforts.