Date:16/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/16/stories/2006081603950500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bangalore, Chennai vie for top slot in air passenger traffic

T.S. Shankar

In April and May this year, Chennai airport handled 14, 31, 134 passengers

CHENNAI: The Chennai and Bangalore airports in the southern region are competing with each other for the top slot in passenger traffic and aircraft movement.

During April and May this year, Chennai airport handled 14, 31, 134 passengers, registering an increase of 41 per cent over the previous year, and the Bangalore airport handled 11,90,767 passengers — an increase of 69.9 per cent.

K. Ramalingam, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Southern Region, told The Hindu on Tuesday that Hyderabad handled 8,71,523 passengers, registering an increase of 62.5 per cent. While the Kochi airport handled 4,11,616 passengers, recording 42 per cent increase, Coimbatore handled 1,48,287 passengers (67.1 per cent) and Karipur at Kozhikode handled 1,93,903 passengers (20.9 per cent).

"Going by the trends in the growth in traffic, the Bangalore and Chennai airports seem to be having a close competition in the southern region. The AAI would do its best to provide the best ... of passenger facilities and upgrade the latest radio navigational and communication aids to meet the growing demand," Mr. Ramalingam said.