TS Govt keen to develop Warangal, Kothagudem airports

Hyderabad: The civil aviation space in Telangana has been on a growth path with the Hyderabad International Airport operated by GMR getting consistently ranked number one, but the State is of the view that there is a need to develop multiple airports in the State if the overall industry has to see growth.

Industries Minister K T Rama Rao at the inaugural of Wings India 2018 said, “Telangana is a land-locked State, so a great share of our cargo move by air and airports play a critical role in the expansion of pharma and aerospace sector. While the State has other airports like Begumpet, Warangal, Hakimpet, Dundigal, Nadirgul and Ramagundam, it is important to boost them further.”

He said the State is keen to make Warangal Airport functional so as to give boost to the Mega Textile Park and IT hub launched in the city. In addition, greenfield airport is being planned at Kothagudem so as to connect the coal belt, mines and power sector ecosystem around Khammam district while the airport proposed at Jakranpally can support the upcoming Pharma City.

Referring to the advice on reduction of value added tax on aviation turbine fuel, the Minister said the government will consider the recommendation and take appropriate action soon.

In terms of skilling, the Minister said the aviation and aerospace sector need extremely skilled and reliable workforce and to achieve this, the State has taken several steps to bring foreign collaboration in the areas of basic and advanced skilling.

“We have signed up with French Aerospace academy-Aerocampus Aquitaine to offer globally approved technical level skilling programmes. We have also signed up with UK based Cranfield

University to offer advanced skilling in aviation, aerospace and allied sectors. The State has also have a partnership with Embry Riddle University, USA and classes have already begun in partnership with TASK,” he said.

The Minister requested the Central government to grant National Aviation University in Begumpet to further improve the skilled manpower.

“Hyderabad has already emerged as a key regional connectivity service hub and we are now keen that all major airlines consider Hyderabad as their preferred hub for wide-bodied, long haul aircrafts serving international routes. We are also keen that more airlines set up their MRO centres, staff training centres and technology development centres in Hyderabad,” the Minister said.