The Goan: What is the status of the development of the newterminal?
M Suresh (Director of Airport Authority of India): 85percent of the work would be completed by the end of December 2012.
TG: What is the deadline for completion of construction andwhen will the new terminal get operational?
MS: The deadline is May end or June 2013. After six months.We need six more months to complete the rest of the work before we can throwopen the new airport terminal.
TG: Would new terminus mean more flights into Goa? How manynew flights are expected after it gets operational? Have there been inquiries?
MS: Now we operate from 16,500 sq metre area. The new workspace area would be 62,000 sq metre. Initially we are going for 5 aerobridgesin the new terminus and have another 3 for light body aircrafts.
Currently we have around 700 flights in the peak hourcapacity. This will go up to 2,700 as the work space would increase.
Yes. Thomson Airway, one of the sophisticated airways wantsto buy Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 380 passengers.
TG: New terminus would mean more charters? Do you see thetraffic growing up next season due to new terminus?
MS: We have regular charter operations and there arerequests for charter operations. Currently we expect around 900 charterflights, out of which 850 are confirmed and scheduled for this tourist season.With the new terminus another 100 more would be added to this, taking the totalfigure to around 1000.
TG: Currently Airport traffic holds up regular commuter’straffic on Airport road and NH178. With increase in new terminal capacity, howwill the traffic flow be regulated?
MS: It is a city problem. We are trying to resolve this.
TG: Till the time the parking problems are resolved whatwill be AAI’s backup plan to handle the increase in traffic?
MS: We have made arrangements for 570 multilevel car-parkingnearby and 90 percent of the work has been completed. We are expecting to getpassengers by own cars and charter buses. So we have asked for additionalparking space for 1500 cars and 200 chartered buses/coaches.
TG: On a different note, Dabolim being an all-weather 24x7airport, why are more regular flights not operated in the night? Have therebeen serious efforts done to start more night flights? Who all have showninterest?
MS: The airport authority is open for 24 hours from our side.As for the night schedule, domestic operations close at 11 o’clock to reach thedestinations by 12 midnight as per the government regulations.
International flights are open for 24 hours. The onlyrestrictions are morning 8 to 1pm from Monday to Friday. This time is reservedfor Navy exercises. Saturday and Sundays are open from Navy’s side.
TG: Don’t you think more night flights can infuse moreearnings into Goa’s economy and remove its tag of a dead by night destination?
MS: Presently we have daily four scheduled night flights oneeach of Air Arabia and Air Qatar and two of Air India international carrier.
Saudi Airways have shown interest to operate the scheduledflight to India for Haj operation. We are discussing the possibilities.
TG: The initial capacity of Mopa airport of 2.5 million perannum and your current capacity, without development is equivalent. Don’t youthink that after expansion of your capacity, it will clash with the Mopa? Fromwhere will the huge number of passengers come for both the airports?
MS: No comment!
