NEDUMBASSERY: Top priority will be given to launch an air shuttle service connecting the coastal airports in South India, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi has said.The Minister was inaugurating the regional celebrations of the Centenary of Civil Aviation in India at the Kochi International Airport here.Stating that the Civil Aviation Ministry is planning to improve air connectivity and helicopter service in India, Ravi said steps have already been taken to have a route map for helicopter services. Stressing that more airports would be launched if sufficient land is provided, the Minister promised that he was committed to extending all support to the construction of the Kannur airport. On Air India, he said the airlines was passing through a turbulent period with heavy debts. Huge arrears to oil companies have disrupted the fuel supply, he said.The Minister said that the ministry was committed to financially enabling Air India to come out of the red. Urgent steps should be introduced to improve the quality of management, planning and cost-cutting measures in Air India, he said. He urged the employees to cooperate to improve the national carrier. He praised the functioning of the Kochi International Airport, saying that the first airport in India, under public-private-participation (PPP), has proved a unique and successful endeavour. He also presented a memento and a citation in recognition of the outstanding contributions to conceiving and implementing a world-class airport under PPP in Nedumbassery.Presiding over the function, Minister for Ports and Airports K Babu said that the state government was committed to improving the coastal and inter-district air connectivity.He urged Ravi to introduce a high-speed rail corridor from Delhi to Kanyakumari. Welcoming the gathering, CIAL managing director V J Kurien said that the CIAL, a project which was launched with Rs 300 crores, is making a profit of Rs 100 crore annually. Celebration committee chairman C G Krishnadas Nair said the Kochi Airport would touch an incredible 50 million passenger movement in 2020. Free entry to airport As part of the centenary celebrations, the public would be allowed free access to the airport viewers gallery from June 19 to 26.School students will be allowed to enter the airport terminal and viewers gallery for one week beginning Sunday, Kurien said.
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