VIJAYAWADA: If all goes as per plan, Hyderabad-based Omega Airlines will start operating two flights connecting Vijayawada to Tirupati and Visakhapatnam soon.

Commercial operations are likely to be launched in the second week of July. The new airliner is negotiating with two companies from France and Canada to acquire 50-seater aircraft.

For operating commercial aircraft, Omega Airlines has got an NOC (no objection certificate) from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation recently. It has also been given permission to use space at Gannavaram airport here for night landing of its aircraft on a permanent basis. Aviation rules require every private airliner to get permanent night landing facility at some airport, forcing Omega to settle for Gannavaram following lack of space at major airports in the country.

P. Prabodh Kumar, former General Manager of a public sector unit, who also worked in the Union Ministry of Industry, is chief promoter of Omega. With his wife Satyavathi on the board of directors, Mr. Kumar got in touch with some investors.

He says induction of other directors awaits clearance from the Union Ministry of Home and related agencies in accordance with rules of civil aviation. He says that they want to make Vijayawada hub of Omega's future operations as the commercial launch is set from the coastal city only.

Mr. Kumar says the inaugural flight will take off at Gannavaram airport and will be covering Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. He is satisfied with the infrastructure available at the airport. The exact route of inaugural flight will be worked out shortly. He has plans to open more new routes connecting Vijayawada to Pune, Goa and other important destinations. The prospects of Omega's operations revive hopes of greater air connectivity to Vijayawada to meet the needs of travellers — both domestic and international. This scenario boosts the chances of attracting industrialists and software professionals.

Demand for flights

There is another demand for flights to Bangalore and Mumbai. Connecting Vijayawada to Bangalore has been the long-cherished desire of industrialists and traders. Speculation is rife in business circles that Kingfisher Airlines will introduce a flight in this route soon. Officials of Kingfisher say they are all set for expansion in several routes. Air Deccan's recent daily flight between Vijayawada and Chennai has got good patronage and is flying full on some days.

For three days from February 24, Air Deccan's Chennai-Vijayawada flight is running full in both directions. Industrialists see this as the city's potential as an aviation hub.

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