In a major push to improving international air connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, the Dubai-based airline Emirates has agreed in principle to make Amaravati its airline hub.
On Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had lengthy negotiations with the key management of the airline. Naidu spoke to Adnan Kazim, divisional senior vice-president at Emirates, through a video conference and proposed the establishment of a hub in Amaravati. Naidu told Emirates that he would like to improve the connectivity between cities in Andhra and Dubai. The Chief Minister agreed to develop more green-field airports in the State, like Visakhapatnam International Airport.
The team from Emirates expressed eagerness to renew old ties with the Chief Minister and recalled the successful business ventures with Naidu in Hyderabad.
“I have been an admirer of Dubai for a long time, and I have received great cooperation and knowledge from the Government in the past. I would like to revive that friendship, and request the expertise for the development of Amaravati,” Naidu said.
In reply, Kazim said that a team from Emirates would soon be sent to Andhra to survey the opportunities available in the State, and the next step would be discussed during the Chief Minister’s visit to Dubai on October 22.
Kazim also informed Naidu that he would be welcomed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Group, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the uncle of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Principal Secretary, Infrastructure & Investments Department Ajay Jain, Pennsylvania Ambassador Kanika Choudhary and Singapore Government representative Raghu were also part of the video conference.