Less than a month ahead of the launch of the flight operations at newly developed Chipi Airport in coastal Konkan region, Messrs IRB Sindhudurg Airport Pvt. Ltd., a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd. has received an Aerodrome License from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Armed with the Aerodrome License, the Company can now go ahead and launch flight operations from newly developed Chipi Airport in Sindhudurg district of coastal Konkan region, from October 7, 2021 as planned earlier.
There was an informal announcement earlier that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would formally throw open the Chipi airport for air traffic on October 7. Initially, intra-state flights would be operated from this airport. Later on, the Chipi airport would offer inter-state connectivity to Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and a couple of other states.
Announcing the grant of an Aerodrome License to Messrs IRB Sindhudurg Airport Pvt. Ltd by the DGCA, a company spokesperson said: “The licence authorises the Aerodrome to be used as regular place of landing and departure to all persons on equal terms and conditions by aircraft requiring specifications of runway and associated facilities including granted exemptions equal to or less than those indicated in the Aerodrome Manual.”
While commenting on the occasion, Chairman & Managing Director of the Company Virendra D. Mhaiskar said: “We are very happy to achieve yet another milestone in the current year and see the airport receive licence to operate after successful completion. With a concession period of over 90 years and a compelling regional proposition, it offers meaningful avenues of growth.”
“We express our sincere gratitude to all Authorities and Stakeholders for extending their valuable cooperation and support in bringing up this new facility. We now look forward to opening the facility for airline operators and the general public soon,” Mhaiskar said.
Sindhudurg Airport with the cost outlay of approx. Rs.800 Crores and concession period of above 90 years is the first of its kind in the South Konkan Region, which is aimed at establishing and enhancing air connectivity of the region with Western Maharashtra, Mumbai, southern States Mumbai and subsequently to all regions of the country.
The airport has a runway of 2500 metre length and 45 metre width, which can be extended by another 1,000 metres. The airport can handle up to 400 passengers or two flights per hour with an estimated annual capacity over a million passengers.
The airport can handle aircraft like A-320 and B-737 which would give a huge fillip to tourism in Konkan, known for its long and picturesque coastline, dazzling beaches, big and small rivers, creeks, abundant greenery and natural beauty, ancient temples, sea and land forts, a rich cultural heritage, unique lifestyle and major historical landmarks.
“The Airport will not only generate the passenger traffic, but also it will be a boon for economic development of the region as it will facilitate and boost cargo transportation, generate direct as well as an indirect employment and other business opportunities for the local people,” Mhaiskar said.
“The airport has potential to become a cargo hub of the Western Region as there is ample space for handling the Cargo; and is expandable to meet the future growing needs,” Mhaiskar added.