The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Begumpet airport turns a boon for tycoons

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Monday, Jan 05, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Begumpet airport turns a boon for tycoons

M. Srinivas

AAI collecting charges from industrialists for using the airport
Many air travellers frustrated at the government’s ‘biased’ attitude

HYDERABAD: The decades-old Begumpet airport might have lost its sheen after commercial operations were shifted to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad last year. But, these days the airport has become a boon for industrialists, frequenting city to strike business deals and are desperate to avoid the endless traffic gridlocks while travelling to and from Shamshabad.

With the Central government giving permission to utilise Begumpet airport for movement of only private aircraft and other planes used in case of emergency during natural calamities, tycoons are directly landing at Begumpet airport in their chartered jets instead of going to Shamshabad. For several top-notch businessmen, especially from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, it’s a hassle-free travel to Hyderabad. The Airports Authority of India is collecting charges from industrialists for utilising Begumpet airport, officials said.

Apart from businessmen, senior politicians and VIPs are also landing at Begumpet airport in private jets. Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy tours different places across the State with a helicopter stationed at the Begumpet airport. In addition to this, Air Force planes and trainee aircraft fly from Begumpet.

Airport Director R. K. Singla said at least 25 private plane movements were reported every month, besides VIPs’ helicopters. “We have our own mechanism to coordinate with pilots through Air Traffic Control while landing or taking-off at Begumpet airport”, he explained.

However, many regular air travellers were frustrated a lot with the government’s decision. “It’s a biased attitude. The government should also allow commercial flights at old airport keeping in view problems being faced by passengers”, said Senior Marketing Manager in a private company, K. Srikanth from Secunderabad.

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Andhra Pradesh