The new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is finally set to open for commercial flights from Sunday. The new airport was inaugurated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on March 14, but was not opened to flights on March 16 as initially planned due to what the Government termed as “operational reasons”. On Thursday, the GMR group said it had received a notification from the ministry “to commence operations from 00:01 hours on Sunday, 23rd March, 2008”.While Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had said earlier this week that the closure of the existing airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore would be reviewed, a GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL)’s statement clarified that as per clause 5.5 of the Concession Agreement signed between the Government of India and GHIAL on December 20, 2004, the existing airport at Hyderabad would “no longer be available for civil aviation operations” except for general aviation services (other than those relating to commercial aircraft, charter flights, aircraft hired or operated under commercial arrangements).The closure of the existing airports for commercial flights has kicked up quite a controversy with Left-backed airport authority unions and the Left parties strongly opposing the move. The Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by Sitaram Yechury had also strongly advocated that the ministry renegotiate with private developers of the two new greenfield airports. The Left parties had also demanded a debate on the issue in Parliament and the heat in the House on the issue is being considered a reason for the delay in opening the new Hyderabad airport.The new airport will now start functioning when the House is in recess. The ministry is hoping that the issue would have cooled down by the time Parliament meets again next month. As far as the Bangalore airport is concerned, the ministry has already shifted its opening date from the previously planned March end to after May 10, again due to operational problems.No UDF till Mar 28• No user development fee to be charged from international departing passengers for the first five days. The Rs 1,000 UDF will come into force with effect from 00:01 hours on March 28.• No car parking charges during the first week.• The ground handling charges have also been amicably resolved between the airlines and two concessionaires (AI & SATS) and (Menzies & Bobba Aviation)
