Uncertainty in the air

HYDERABAD: Even as the Union government and the management of Shamshabad airport contended on Friday night that the commercial launch of the airport was being deferred because many airlines had sought more time to manage their transition from Begumpet to Shamshabad, the airlines claim that this is not the issue at all.
They contend that there are several unresolved issues that led to the postponement of the launch."We are willing to operate from any airport that makes our operations viable. But if it is not we can't start off just to keep the airport developer happy,'' a senior official of a low cost carrier said.
"No doubt the project developer has done a wonderful job in executing the project. But, we don't like the way they are shying away from competition," Capt Gopinath of Deccan Airways told STOI. Alluding to the fact that Begumpet airport should remain open, Gopinath says that both passengers and airlines should be given a choice to choose the airport. "Deccan would definitely like to use the world class airport. But, I should have a choice. There should be an Udupi hotel and a five star too. No one should force the other to go to the five star only. So, don't close the existing airport,'' he said.
He contended that the closure of the existing airport would accord complete monopoly to the new airport at a time when monopolistic institutions including public sector undertakings are being dismantled to encourage competition in various sectors. "It's precisely because of the dismantling process that GMR has got the opportunity of building the airport. Now, they are shying away from competition. It's the same group that has gone to build the second airport at Istanbul, which is an economy that's one-fourth of Hyderabad," Gopinath claimed. He added: "If by keeping Begumpet open, the government is going back on the agreement with the airport developers, then it should compensate the latter for this."
Apart from Gopinath, almost all airlines have their own list of complaints against the new airport. "Neither the GMR group nor the government is talking about the implications of the lack of connectivity. Being an airline depending on public service, we have an obligation to wait for the passenger to arrive and check-in at the airport. I can't fly away while the passenger is stuck in a traffic jam. Waiting for a passenger will disturb the entire schedule of an airline with a cascading effect in other centres," executive director of an airline major said.
The airport management has organized bus service from four different points in the city and passengers can use the service to reach the airport. "This is commendable. But, from the passenger's point of view, the moment he gets into the bus, he is at the airport. If there is a traffic jam, it's no more his problem. the airport management should assure us on bringing the passenger to the terminal on time," the official argued.