Date:07/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060706420500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AAI nod for operations at Salem airport

P. Oppili

CHENNAI: The airport at Salem is ready for operations, according to officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Recently, officials of the AAI and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted a joint inspection of the airport.

A private airlines wants to introduce services from Salem, says K .Ramalingam, Regional Executive Director, AAI. "All the required engineering and operational facilities have been completed by the AAI."

Plans are afoot to provide night landing facilities. They will be ready before the end of this fiscal. The AAI has also identified additional land for expansion.

On the Puducherry airport, Mr. Ramalingam says it is fit for operating small aircraft like ATR 42.

A memorandum of understanding between the Puducherry Government and the AAI will be signed soon for expansion of the runway.