Madurai (IXM) Airport

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by Pandiyarajan

If we get the first international flight then other airlines will also start ASAP. Getting the first international flight to touch down Madurai is the difficult thing.
if the above news is correct, by next year we will get 3-4 international flight to Madurai.

If DGCA give the permission, then they can include in their winter schedule, otherwise need to wait until the next summer schedule.

Yes. Actually for other airlines after getting permission it will take atleast 3 to 4 months to complete the logistics. Since Air India is already having office, ground handling set up etc they can start quickly (within one month) the service. So they talked of october 15 deadline for november service.

Now all we need to do is to send immediately as many emails as possible to Civil Aviation Minsiter, Manik Tagore, MKA (eventhough I have no hope) and to PC.

[Sankkar]

Originally Posted by ANANTH

Yes. Actually for other airlines after getting permission it will take atleast 3 to 4 months to complete the logistics. Since Air India is already having office, ground handling set up etc they can start quickly (within one month) the service. So they talked of october 15 deadline for november service.

Now all we need to do is to send immediately as many emails as possible to Civil Aviation Minsiter, Manik Tagore, MKA (eventhough I have no hope) and to PC.

PC is the biggest disappointment for me. Lot was expected of him after the inauguration of new terminal. Ever since he has not done anything. Govt. is pumping thousands of crores every year for Air India for nothing and still they continue to do so. Considering the position he is holding PC could have easily played his part to start international operations from Madurai long time back.

Let's hope this time he will do something for Madurai airport and time has come. Manik Tagore has been one of the silent performer.
Anyway we can start sending mails to these people and hope for the best.

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by Sankkar

PC is the biggest disappointment for me. Lot was expected of him after the inauguration of new terminal. Ever since he has not done anything. Govt. is pumping thousands of crores every year for Air India for nothing and still they continue to do so. Considering the position he is holding PC could have easily played his part to start international operations from Madurai long time back.

Let's hope this time he will do something for Madurai airport and time has come. Manik Tagore has been one of the silent performer.
Anyway we can start sending mails to these people and hope for the best.

PC was biggest disappointment not just for madurai but for whole TN. He is minister since Rajiv Gandhi Days (except NDA rule) and he is powerful in cabinet set up as well as party set up. What did he do for TN as a whole? Nothing except going on opening branches of nationalised banks in sivaganga district. He could have easily approved sufficient CISF staff and Immigration officials for madurai. He gave a typical politician dialogue in last sept and forgot the matter totally

[Ram in Seattle]

Originally Posted by Madurai gilli

AIE had applied DGCA to start IXM-DXB flight from Nov.15-2011. Customs and Immigrations works are going on in fast pace to meet this target,as per the source from an Officer,Madurai Customs.DGCA should permit AIE within Oct.15,then only it's possible for AIE to start IXM-DXB flight by their planned date.In time, Flights to Colombo and Singapore will also be operated from Madurai by other private carriers who already approached DGCA.

Looks like another base-less Crap news by Dinamalar.. But will be HAPPY like anything if this news materialises and come TRUE..

Thanks for the news Gilli, I recognize that it may just be another bogus report from the local media, but I'm also hoping that it is true.

Anyway, the news report is at http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=316935

I hope other newspapers talk to Air India and get a confirmation of this report.

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by Ram in Seattle

Thanks for the news Gilli, I recognize that it may just be another bogus report from the local media, but I'm also hoping that it is true.

Anyway, the news report is at http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=316935

I hope other newspapers talk to Air India and get a confirmation of this report.

I couldnt get this newsitem in any other newspaper

[Pandiyarajan]

Thats is very strange, only dinamalar newspaper got this news

[Madurai_Thalapathy]

Originally Posted by ANANTH

I couldnt get this newsitem in any other newspaper

http://www.inneram.com/2011092119047...om-15-november

same news

[Madurai]

Looks like Dinamalar didn't find any news to praise the current CM or blame the Ex CM. So, they used the filler space for such articles. I am like everyone else in thinking that this is a bogus news, but only to hope that somehow it becomes true.

[VijayyMdu]

Personally spoke to some sr.officials of AAI and understood that all necessary formalities are in full swing in-order to get the International connections. It is just the Administrative / logistical teething issues other than some political force which are delaying / stopping the process.

However please be assure that we are gonna get International flights very soon.

[Ram in Seattle]

Originally Posted by VijayyMdu

Personally spoke to some sr.officials of AAI and understood that all necessary formalities are in full swing in-order to get the International connections. It is just the Administrative / logistical teething issues other than some political force which are delaying / stopping the process.

However please be assure that we are gonna get International flights very soon.

For several years, we have been hearing people say things like "all necessary formalities are in full swing in-order to get the International connections."

Unfortunately, that hasn't been true and the teething issues don't make a lot of sense.

AAI isn't a baby for it to suddenly have teething issues when it comes to Madurai. They are a well-established and experienced and old agency. They have setup a lot of international airports and customs airports (in other cities) in recent years and they know what the formalities/procedures are.

Did the officials at AAI provide any specifics on the administrative/logistic issues that are holding up Madurai airport's progress ?
Did they provide any specific timeframe by when the issues will be resolved ?

[Madurai]

Dinakaran's news about inauguration of HYD-IXM-HYD flights by Spicejet.

[VijayyMdu]

Originally Posted by Ram in Seattle

For several years, we have been hearing people say things like "all necessary formalities are in full swing in-order to get the International connections."

Unfortunately, that hasn't been true and the teething issues don't make a lot of sense.

AAI isn't a baby for it to suddenly have teething issues when it comes to Madurai. They are a well-established and experienced and old agency. They have setup a lot of international airports and customs airports (in other cities) in recent years and they know what the formalities/procedures are.

Did the officials at AAI provide any specifics on the administrative/logistic issues that are holding up Madurai airport's progress ?
Did they provide any specific timeframe by when the issues will be resolved ?

Major work is basically to appoint CISF & Admin peoples in Madurai.(Either they have to transfer / appoint which typically takes time). Supporting infrastructures are put in place long ago.

So things pending from AAI side would be 1.Appointment of Staffs 2.Admin & Other formalities on announcement.3.May some other Regulation / Inspection body would certify ?. Then the Airlines to give their req on schedule ?.

Officially AAI madurai do not have any request / schedule from any airlines as on yesterday.

We all know when 1 wants the work to be done through any Govt bodies will take hell a lot of time. The irony of our case is there is a big lobby working against our demand,so naturally there is big drift that causes all these delays and Politically / Professionally it is called as TEETHING ISSUES.

I could not get any time frame / confirmation on EOI from any Airlines.

But he sounds positive this time.

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by VijayyMdu

some political force which are delaying / stopping the process.

However please be assure that we are gonna get International flights very soon.

we can easily guess who is this... as if we are going to eat their cake they behave in this cheap way!!

We cannot trust PC or other congie minister from the state... SG is vision less as they never talk about railways or airways... but MADISTA can try meeting CM and build some pressure on AAI.

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by VijayyMdu

Major work is basically to appoint CISF & Admin peoples in Madurai.(Either they have to transfer / appoint which typically takes time). Supporting infrastructures are put in place long ago.


I could not get any time frame / confirmation on EOI from any Airlines.

But he sounds positive this time.

Vijay, If U notice my earlier mails on this issue, I have mentioned two points as major issue and stumbling block for starting intl service. You are mentioning the same. Number one is appointing CISF as well as posting staff for immigration services. This is first and foremost. Second isue is some vested forces are blocking since they will lose the business once madurai service starts. That vested force is across the border. I have repeated this point many times earlier. They dont want any of TN airports specially CBE & MDU to develop becuase that will directly affect their airports. We need to overcome that

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by Madurai_Thalapathy

http://www.inneram.com/2011092119047...om-15-november

same news

Dear Thalapathy, one perso had contacted AIE/AI and they confirmed that it is wrong news. He has posted that also. I have copied and pasted it here.

எழுதியவர்: இஸ்ஹாக், September 21, 2011

இந்த செய்தி குறித்து ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் துபை அலுவலகத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு கேட்ட போது இந்த செய்தி போலியானது என்ற தகவல் கிடைத்தது.ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்,ஏர் இந்தியா இணையதளங்களிலும் இது போன்ற எந்த செய்தியும் இடம்பெறவில்லை. இது பற்றி விசாரித்து உண்மையான செய்தியை வெளியிடவும்....


Also AIE has announced changes in flight schedule and reduced the services to manglore and increased to all the kerala cities. Nowhere it talks about any service to madurai. So looks like it is wrong news

[krmpradeep]

Originally Posted by ANANTH

Dear Thalapathy, one perso had contacted AIE/AI and they confirmed that it is wrong news. He has posted that also. I have copied and pasted it here.

எழுதியவர்: இஸ்ஹாக், September 21, 2011

இந்த செய்தி குறித்து ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் துபை அலுவலகத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு கேட்ட போது இந்த செய்தி போலியானது என்ற தகவல் கிடைத்தது.ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்,ஏர் இந்தியா இணையதளங்களிலும் இது போன்ற எந்த செய்தியும் இடம்பெறவில்லை. இது பற்றி விசாரித்து உண்மையான செய்தியை வெளியிடவும்....


Also AIE has announced changes in flight schedule and reduced the services to manglore and increased to all the kerala cities. Nowhere it talks about any service to madurai. So looks like it is wrong news

Honestly, I don't think AIE's Dubai office will have any intimation about this proposal. It is just a proposal/request that is still work-in-progess. The staff working at these offices are usually clueless regarding such information.

So, lets wait for some more credible information.

[Ram in Seattle]

Originally Posted by VijayyMdu

Major work is basically to appoint CISF & Admin peoples in Madurai.(Either they have to transfer / appoint which typically takes time). Supporting infrastructures are put in place long ago.

So things pending from AAI side would be 1.Appointment of Staffs 2.Admin & Other formalities on announcement.3.May some other Regulation / Inspection body would certify ?. Then the Airlines to give their req on schedule ?.

Officially AAI madurai do not have any request / schedule from any airlines as on yesterday.

We all know when 1 wants the work to be done through any Govt bodies will take hell a lot of time. The irony of our case is there is a big lobby working against our demand,so naturally there is big drift that causes all these delays and Politically / Professionally it is called as TEETHING ISSUES.

I could not get any time frame / confirmation on EOI from any Airlines.

But he sounds positive this time.

I'm glad this official sounded positive, but people at a much higher level have sounded much more positive in past years.

Unfortunately, all of that was useless.

After all these years, it is ridiculous for them to talk about teething issues. AAI is not a baby. Like I said earlier, it is an old organization that got beyond its teething issues a long, long time ago. In recent years, it has already setup international and customs airports in many other cities.

Right now, the delay is very specific to Madurai. A lot of people have speculated and discussed the reasons for the delay in this forum.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we have any new information and it doesn't seem like any progress has been made so far in 2011. Anyway, thanks for the discussion VijayyMdu. I know my post shows frustration, but the frustration is with the govt not with you or the AAI official.

Like we have discussed last year, this is a chicken-and-egg problem. Airlines aren't requesting AAI because they know that Madurai doesn't have customs/immigration support. AAI then tells us that no airline has requested international connections. It is too bad that none of the people in power (in the central cabinet, in parliament, CM's office or in AAI) care about this.

[Sankkar]

Originally Posted by ANANTH

Vijay, If U notice my earlier mails on this issue, I have mentioned two points as major issue and stumbling block for starting intl service. You are mentioning the same. Number one is appointing CISF as well as posting staff for immigration services. This is first and foremost. Second isue is some vested forces are blocking since they will lose the business once madurai service starts. That vested force is across the border. I have repeated this point many times earlier. They dont want any of TN airports specially CBE & MDU to develop becuase that will directly affect their airports. We need to overcome that

Bang on Ananth. Since they are holding all the important positions in AAI or CG related to this approval process they managed to halt the progress till now. It's pity our politicians never bothered to give a push.

Atleast we need to send a mails to some key people to know about the recent developments. Can someone post the email id's of person related to Madurai airport including Manik Tagore.

[sundar_amu]

Originally Posted by ANANTH

Dear Thalapathy, one perso had contacted AIE/AI and they confirmed that it is wrong news. He has posted that also. I have copied and pasted it here.

எழுதியவர்: இஸ்ஹாக், September 21, 2011

இந்த செய்தி குறித்து ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் துபை அலுவலகத்தை தொடர்பு கொண்டு கேட்ட போது இந்த செய்தி போலியானது என்ற தகவல் கிடைத்தது.ஏர் இந்தியா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ்,ஏர் இந்தியா இணையதளங்களிலும் இது போன்ற எந்த செய்தியும் இடம்பெறவில்லை. இது பற்றி விசாரித்து உண்மையான செய்தியை வெளியிடவும்....


Also AIE has announced changes in flight schedule and reduced the services to manglore and increased to all the kerala cities. Nowhere it talks about any service to madurai. So looks like it is wrong news

All the other information given in that news are correct.

1. Customs work are in progress - Our former Vijay confirms with Airport's senior officials about whether the customs works are take place in airport.

2. Salary issue of Air India staffs - It is true that they received salary up to august and not incentive. I confirmed the same with Air India staff. Even the due amount of 4L which specified in the news is also nearly correct.

So I don't think this a crap news by Dinamalar. It seems like these information were collected from some Air India officials (as most of the news focus of Air India).

[ANANTH]

Originally Posted by sundar_amu

All the other information given in that news are correct.

1. Customs work are in progress - Our former Vijay confirms with Airport's senior officials about whether the customs works are take place in airport.

2. Salary issue of Air India staffs - It is true that they received salary up to august and not incentive. I confirmed the same with Air India staff. Even the due amount of 4L which specified in the news is also nearly correct.

So I don't think this a crap news by Dinamalar. It seems like these information were collected from some Air India officials (as most of the news focus of Air India).

dear sundar, I was also in madurai last month and coudlnt find any work going on as far as customs or immigration is concerned. Yes, there are tables provided for that. But as again and again I am stressing, the most important is not tables or chairs but manpower and equipment (Computers, network connection connected to all passport offices, master data base etc) and that is yet to happen.

regarding the salary issue, whole world knows that AI struggling for money and time to time, finance ministry gives money. Last month after PM intervention they got money. Previous month Oil companies stopped supply and petroleum minister has to intervene. So that issue is a fact and no rocket science technology is required to find it.

Anyway let us hope we get intl connections. Also keep in mind, as per Airport officials no airline has approached them for starting any new services.