Notification for launch of commercial services from Hyd'bad international airport issued
13 Mar 2008
Hyderabad: The civil aviation ministry issued a notification on Tuesday confirming closure of commercial operations at Hyderabad's old Begumpet airport and the commencement of commercial flights from the newly constructed Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad from 16 March.
The notification, which is in line with the concession agreement signed between the Government of India and the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (G-HIAL) in December 2004, was issued just hours ahead of a looming industrial action by employees of the Airports Authority of India.
Airport employees are demanding retention of the existing airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore for commercial operations.
Meanwhile, a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt will touch down at the new airport at Shamshabad at 0025am on Sunday marking the full-fledged launch of commercial operations from the new airport.
GHIAL said it has received the aerodrome licence, clearance for operation of fire fighting systems, environmental clearance from the AP Pollution Control Board and permission to serve as a notified customs zone.
The Shamshabad airport located about 30 km from Hyderabad will be inaugurated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on 14 March and will commence full fledged operations two days later.
