Rajkot: After 21 years, Keshod Airport Gir, near the habitat of Asiatic lions, will start commercial operations.
On March 12, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate the new airport and flag off the first flight to Mumbai.
The commissioning of this airport was announced in 2018 but got delayed due to pending some approvals with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
keshod The airport has been developed under the Revival of Airports Scheme of the Government of India at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Alliance Air will start operations under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN.
Speaking to TOI, Keshod airport director PL Prasanna said, “The 72-seater Mumbai-Keshod-Mumbai flight will be operational from March 12. We are planning another flight to Ahmedabad, when the runway is re-routed. The carpeting work will be completed.”
He said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has obtained all regulatory approvals and licenses to start scheduled flights. The terminal is capable of handling 75 passengers at a time.
Junagadh Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Chudasama said, “I have received a letter from the Civil Aviation Minister informing that commercial operations will start from Keshod airport from March 12 and he will be present during the inauguration ceremony.”
The last abode of Asiatic lions is 50 km from Sasan-Gir Keshod. The flight connectivity is expected to boost tourism in Sasan as well as in Gir National Park. Presently tourists coming from other states have to land at Rajkot airport and then take 3-4 hours road journey to Sasan.
Junagadh, 35 km from Keshod, is also being developed as a historical town and the number of tourists has increased manifold after the ropeway started on Girnar mountain. Tourist inflow to Somnath temple is also expected to increase as it is just 55 km away from Keshod.
On March 12, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate the new airport and flag off the first flight to Mumbai.
The commissioning of this airport was announced in 2018 but got delayed due to pending some approvals with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
keshod The airport has been developed under the Revival of Airports Scheme of the Government of India at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Alliance Air will start operations under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN.
Speaking to TOI, Keshod airport director PL Prasanna said, “The 72-seater Mumbai-Keshod-Mumbai flight will be operational from March 12. We are planning another flight to Ahmedabad, when the runway is re-routed. The carpeting work will be completed.”
He said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has obtained all regulatory approvals and licenses to start scheduled flights. The terminal is capable of handling 75 passengers at a time.
Junagadh Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Chudasama said, “I have received a letter from the Civil Aviation Minister informing that commercial operations will start from Keshod airport from March 12 and he will be present during the inauguration ceremony.”
The last abode of Asiatic lions is 50 km from Sasan-Gir Keshod. The flight connectivity is expected to boost tourism in Sasan as well as in Gir National Park. Presently tourists coming from other states have to land at Rajkot airport and then take 3-4 hours road journey to Sasan.
Junagadh, 35 km from Keshod, is also being developed as a historical town and the number of tourists has increased manifold after the ropeway started on Girnar mountain. Tourist inflow to Somnath temple is also expected to increase as it is just 55 km away from Keshod.