Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

State to have aviation policy

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government is preparing an aviation policy as part of the national aviation policy in order to give a fillip to the development of the sector, with emphasis on intra-State connectivity.

The government has sought Central assistance to set up small airports that will provide connectivity to inaccessible areas such as Wayanad and Idukki.

Excise and Ports Development Minister K. Babu, who holds charge of civil aviation development, held a preliminary round of discussions with Union Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi recently on issues related to the sector.

During the discussions, the Minister pointed out that even though the three international airports provided ample services to West Asia, East Asia, and Europe, connectivity to places such as Wayanad and Idukki from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kozhikode was a different matter.

A trip from Thiruvananthapuram to Wayanad takes an overnight journey by train and another four hours by road to cover a maximum distance of 500 km.

Emphasising the need for connectivity within the State and nearby airports in neighbouring States, Mr. Babu sought Central clearance for setting up smaller airports for handling short haul services and getting airlines to operate shuttle services.

According to government sources, the State government is planning to convene a meeting of private promoters who will be interested in constructing an airstrip in Wayanad and other areas.

When contacted, Mr. Babu told The Hindu that he had discussed with Mr. Ravi the issue of operating a coastal service that connects Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Mangalore and, if possible, Goa.

Earlier, the private airliner Kingfisher used to operate a service connecting major cities in Kerala. However, this was discontinued by the airlines.

With regard to the steep air fares in the Kerala sector, Mr. Babu said he had sought the intervention of the Union Minister.

Mr. Ravi also agreed to convene a meeting of various functionaries of the Civil Aviation Ministry, airline industry, including Air India, and the State government to discuss these issues.

Mr. Ravi had stated that he would examine favourably the issue of operating coastal shuttle services between the existing airports.

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