Two foreign airlines to operate from Cochin airport

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC29 The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) chairman, Mr. Babu C.Rajeev, today said that two foreign airlines would be operated from the Nedumbassery Airport from April next year.

He told the annual general meeting of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) held here today that the company had received a letter from the Civil Aviation Ministry granting permission to the two foreign airlines - Saudi and Turkmenistan Airlines. The flights from Saudi and Turkmenistan would fly in to carry Haj pilgrims initially.

The meeting also elected Mr. T. Sivadasa Menon, Finance Minister, and Mr. K.E. Ismail, Revenue Minister, to the director board of the company. The ministers were elected in place of two retired members - Mr. Baby John, MLA, and Mr. P.P. Thankachan. However, the meeting was adjourned for another day to consider the audit report and balance sheet.

The Electricity Minister and vice-chairman of CIAL, Mr. S. Sarma, said that the State Government had decided to take up the issue of operating more international flights to the Cochin International Airport with the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee. The Chief Minister would soon call on Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, who was on vacation at Kumarakom.

The resolution on the election of the two Ministers to the board was passed amid protest by some shareholders. When the notice for the election was read out, the Shareholders' Association president, Mr. Jose Maliyackal, and others were on their feet. They wanted the Chief Minister, Mr. E.K. Nayanar, and the Electricity Minister, Mr. Sarma (chairman and vice-chairman respectively of the company), to invest fully the Government's equity contribution in the company. They pleaded that the resolution should be passed only after the Government redeemed its commitment to pay its equity contribution. The company need the money badly because of its precarious financial position, they said. Mr.S. Sarma told the meeting that all steps had been taken to give its contribution to the company.

The vice-chairman also said that after the Reserve Bank of India's clearance was received, the duty free shop would start functioning.

As for the demands for acquisition of 135 acres of lands adjacent to the Airport , the Minister said that he would hold talks with the Advocate General and land owners and work out a solution on the issue within a couple of days. He said that, in fact, the Airport did not need any land now. Besides, the financial position of CIAL did not allow it to acquire the land in a hasty manner. However, the company would redress the grievances of the land owners.The Advocate General's opinion was sought because a writ on the land issue was pending before the court.

The share holders had also sought more concessions to them at the Airport. Some of them complained that despite having concessional passes, they were prevented at the Airport while others demanded that the President of the Shareholders' Association be inducted as a Board member.

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