Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Kingfisher, Go Air to fly to city

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

DGCA clearance given to both the airlines to begin operations

Thiruvananthapuram: Two more airlines have been given clearance by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate flights between the capital city and metropolitan cities in the country.

"The DGCA clearance has been given to Kingfisher Airlines and Go Air for operating flights to and from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport," the Airport Director K. Natarajan told The Hindu .

However, both the airlines are yet to file the details about the destinations, timings and frequency of the flight operations.

The commencement of flights will provide better options for travellers and boost tourist arrivals to the southern districts of the State.

With the arrival of Kingfisher Airlines and Go Air, the number of airlines operating in the domestic sector will go up to five.

Already, Indian, Jet Airways and Air Deccan have daily flights from major metros to Thiruvananthapuram.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages the premier international airport of the State, has chalked out plans to improve facilities in the international airport to cater to the needs of the passengers and the operating airlines.

The civil works to install the aerobridge at the international airport and barricading of the apron area have commenced.

The aerobridges, being installed at an estimated cost of Rs.10 crores, will enable travellers' hassle-free movement from the terminal building to the aircraft and back.

At present, travellers move from the terminal building through chute and then board the buses that take them near the aircraft.

The AAI has also come up with plans to solve the space shortage faced in the domestic terminal.

The security hold area of the domestic terminal is to be increased to cater to the needs of passengers and ensure the smooth flow of passengers.

Boarding gate

A second boarding gate will be introduced so that the passengers do not have to wait even if two flights depart at the same time.

The open area in front of the domestic terminal, where the canopy has been installed for visitors, will be annexed to the terminal building as part of increasing security hold area, Mr. K. Natarajan said.

X-ray machine to check the baggage of passengers will be installed outside the terminal to create more space. "Tenders for the work for increasing the floor area has been awarded," he said.

The parking bays in the airport are being increased from the present eight to 11. Three new bays are being set up on the Shanghumughom side at a cost of Rs.2 crores.

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