Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Airport to be made gateway to nation, says Minister

- Photo: S. Gopakumar

Spreading wings: Law Minister M. Vijayakumar inaugurating a pilot training programme at the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology in the city on Thursday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram international airport, being developed to world class standards by constructing a modern terminal on the Chakka side, will be made a gateway to the country, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar said on Thursday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a pilot training course of the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology set up by the State government in the vicinity of the international airport.

Mr. Vijayakumar said Kerala could make a giant leap in the aviation sector with the setting up of three international airports. The proposed fourth airport to be constructed in Kannur would trigger development in northern districts.

The Minister said the problems faced by students in undergoing pilot training would be solved with the commencement of the academy.“The fee being charged is less compared to the other flying institutes in the country,” he added.

“The aim is to convert the academy into a national model institute. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel has promised all assistance to the government for converting the academy into a model institute,” Mr. Vijayakumar added.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who was to inaugurate the academy, did not attend the function as he was indisposed. In a message, read out at the function, the Chief Minister promised all assistance from the government to the academy to upgrade its facilities.

Earlier, the Minister handed over the keys of a Cessna trainer aircraft to chief flying instructor T.J. Joseph and later flagged-off the aircraft to commence the training programme. An air show was also organised in association with the Southern Air Command.

The institute has two new Cessna 172R four-seater aircraft purchased at a cost of Rs.1 crore each. The Aero Club of India has promised a new Cessna 172R with a glass cockpit to the institute. The intake of students to the academy will be 20 per batch and the duration of the training programme will be two years.

V. Surendran Pillai, MLA, presided over the meeting. Varkala Radhakrishan, Pannian Ravindran, MPs; V. Sivankutty, MLA; Air Chief Marshall, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command S.C. Mukul; Commander Krishnakumar from the navy; Director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport N. Nagraj; Secretary, Transport, K. R. Jyothilal; president of Sports Council T.P. Dasan; and executive director of the academy R. Rajeev spoke.

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