Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation,
Shri Jayant Sinha, Union Minister for State for Civil Aviation,
Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism,
Shri V.S. Sivakumar, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Dr.Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, Airports Authority of India
Shri S. Sreekumar, Regional Executive Director, Southern Region, Airports Authority of India,
Shri V.C. Ravindran, Director, Trivandrum Airport,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to address you after laying the foundation stone for the construction of an additional Apron at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. I am also happy to have inaugurated the New International Arrival Block along with the Passenger boarding bridge and the Visual Docking Guidance System at the Calicut International Airport.
Let me at the outset, compliment the Union Ministry of Civil Aviationfor initiating these significant development initiatives at two of the major airports in Kerala. The State Government also deserves appreciation for responding positively to the developmental needs of these airports through full cooperation.
Though Kerala is a small State with less than 3 percent of India’s population, it is one of the States with the highest international exposure and contact. On any given day, Keralites form a sizeable chunk of domestic and international air travellers in India, thanks to a large non-resident population. Besides, Kerala receives many tourists from abroad every year. It is in this context that the idea of having air strips in districts without airports, has been mooted. Undoubtedly, an improved facility in an airport is most welcome to the people of Kerala.
The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, establishedin 1932 and upgraded in 1991 as the fifth international airport in the country, enjoys a pride of place in the minds of Keralites. Today, it is known to be one of the most profitable among the airports managed by the Airport Authority of India, with 19 airlines connecting it to 16 international destinations. The State government is now pursuing the acquisition of more land for its new two level International Terminal and better cargo movement facilities. I am certain that the Additional Apron and Ground Support Equipment Area for which we have laid the foundation, would improve the aircraft handling capacity of this airport.
Airports are gateways to growth and global exposure, as is evident from the development ushered in by Calicut airport to the Malabar region. Though the newly started Kannur International Airport promises better development for the northern most districts, the significance of Calicut airport remains stable, as it handles more than two million passengers annually. With the commissioning of the New International Arrival Block with three additional aero-bridges, the Calicut airport will be able to handle 1500 passengers during peak hours, and to improve efficiency in a competitive manner.
As I mentioned earlier, airports are gateways to global exposure as well as global impressions. In World tourism, Kerala enjoys the status of a green carpet and our airports have the responsibility to go green in as many ways as possible. I am happy that the New International Arrival Blockof Calicutand the proposed International Terminal at Thiruvananthapuram Airportwill have lighting and other facilities as per the norms of Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment [GRIHA]. Already, Cochin International Airport has shown a model in solar generation. And, a world-class professionalism must reflect in all our facilities and service so that Kerala's efficiency, hospitality and above all, commitment to Green Energy would remain imprinted in the minds of people worldwide.
I convey my best wishes for the speedy completion of the construction of the new Apron at Thiruvananthapuram and for the fruitful use of the Arrival Block in Calicut. I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
