The Civil Aviation Ministry on Wednesday accorded approval to Chhattisgarh for commencing international flights from Swami Vivekanand Airport in Raipur. The consent was given by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju during his meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh Today In New Delhi During the meeting, the chief minister informed Mr Raju that the new airport in Raipur excels in all parameters required for operating international flights.
Stressing on the need to transform Swami Vivekanand Airport into an international airport, Dr Singh said air traffic in Chhattisgarh has rapidly increased in past five years as the state has been progressing very fast in the field of service sector and houses biggest industrial plants. It has also emerged as a state with immense opportunities in the last decade.
Mentioning the Centre’s announcement to develop new airports in Tier I and Tier II cities in the budget, the chief minister demanded inclusion of Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur airports in the scheme. He added that the state government has reduced VAT on ATF from 25 per cent to 5 per cent in order to encourage airlines to operate from various towns in Chhattisgarh. Noting that some airlines have reduced the operations from Raipur airport despite enough air traffic, the chief minister said reduction in flights creates inconvenience to passengers.