Airport director to be axed

Oct. 19

Amidst the uncertainty over the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a move is on to shift Airport Director V.N.Chandran from the post.

Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that there is strong lobbying from various quarters to shift Chandran from the post. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.

Director of the Karipur International Airport G.Chandramouli is being considered as the new director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

V.N.Chandran however reserved his comments on the matter.

Chandran who had taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram Airport director hardly an year ago had initiated stern measures against various irregularities going on at the airport terminal. Such measures had invited enemies to Chandran, sources at the Airport said.

The Airport director was also under stiff pressure from the AAI to commission the new terminal. However, there has been a lack of cooperation from certain agencies that was delaying the commissioning of the airport. The Air India which was responsible for arranging the ground handling facilities was yet to complete the works.

Commissioning to be delayed further : Meanwhile, a meeting of AAI officials and Air India officials held here on Tuesday has decided to go for commissioning of the terminal only after setting up the ground handling and cargo handling facilities. AAI Regional Executive Director Devarajan and Air India Regional Director Sunil Kishen attended the meeting.

Airport Director had earlier issued a circular to the airlines and other agencies concerned that the new terminal would be commissioned by October 20.

ends.