Goa's aviation imbroglio seems to be grabbing the attention of some thought leaders in the industry. Robey Lal is the former Country Manager of IATA. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/usrmailcomment.cms?msid=3559253&[EMAIL PROTECTED]&mailon_commented=1Goa airport needs urgent expansion <Philip Thomas,Goa,says:When will AAI realise that its mission at Dabolim airport in Goa is not to razzle dazzle all and sundry but to survive against insidious pressures to close it, whether by design (a la the Union Cabinet Resolution of 2000) or, even more dangerously, by default (through bull-in-the-china-shop decisions of well meaning politicians) and the stealth manoeuvres of its military 'host'? It should concentrate its energies on getting another airport in Goa right viz which does not defeat the above purpose. 5 Oct 2008, 0948 hrs IST Robey Lal,New Delhi,says:Construction of a new airport, on a PPP basis, for serving commercial air traffic, should be top priority for the Government of Goa. It is hightime that local interests stopped haggling over the site, North or South Goa. Either location will help the economy, albeit some more than others. Alternately, not having the airport will not help anyone. Meanwhile, at the existing airport the Navy must instructed by the Central Government to provide the ATC and Safety services for keeping the airport open to civil air traffic round the clock, till the new airport is commissioned. And AAI should keep terminal services running 24x7. These will make more time slots available for flights to operate to Goa, thus increasing airport capacity by better use of the terminal and apron, since neither of them have the requisite area to expand in for any long term benefit, and a new airport will again be the call of the day in a few years. AAI provided Goa airport with Aeronautical Ground Lighting and navigational aids and safety equipment to operate 24 hours following an understanding reached with the Navy over 10 years ago, which the Navy ought to Honour. 5 Oct 2008, 0750 hrs IST> Its debatable however whether Robey Lal's idea of 'either location ' or keeping Dabolim civil enclave open round the clock, 'till the new airport is commissioned' is meaningful in the Goa context. Goa government has opted for both airports. Lal's view may be coloured by being wedded to PPP as seen above. In this connection it must be pointed out that the present IATA chief himself takes a dim view of the experience with PPP in airports. The problems at Bangalore and Hyderabad (and to a lesser extent at Kochi where it all started in India) are there for all to see. But Lal does seem to echo our Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik's unhappiness with the Indian Navy's attitude at Dabolim. _________________________________________________________________ Search for videos of Bollywood, Hollywood, Mollywood and every other wood, only on Live.com http://www.live.com/?scope=video&form=MICOAL
