Airports in several cities

The government has taken initiatives during the last one year to open up more airports in various cities of the country.

While there are proposals for development of greenfield airports at Hassan, Gulbarga and Gangtok, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has taken initiatives for the operationalisation of the airports at Cooch Behar, Pant Nagar, Akola, Gondia, Surat and Mysore on the demand of the airlines.

Work for strengthening and extension of runway and allied works have already been taken up at Cooch Behar Airport - the probable date of completion is December 2006. For the development of Mysore, Pant Nagar, Surat and Akola airports, the respective state governments have been requested to provide the required additional land free of cost and free of all encumbrances. The work is expected to commence during 2006-07 subject to availability of required additional land. The Gondia airstrip is also being developed for establishment of a National Flying Institute.