Pondicherry Airport readying to welcome new flights

Jagson Airlines to be the first airline to start flights to Pondicherry airport

BY A CORRESPONDENT
14th January 2006

Ahead of the new airline Jagson Airlines starting its maiden flights to Pondicherry sometime this year, Pondicherry's tiny airport is getting to ready to welcome the new flights. The Airports Authority of India has started improving facilities at the Pondicherry Airports, reports said.

Passenger flights to Pondicherry were cancelled 15 years ago. Now, only trainer aircraft from the regional flying schools fly to the Pondicherry airport. New X-ray machines to scan luggage have to be put in place. Also, fire-fighting instruments and tools have to be in place. Currently, the firefighting equipment is in Category-2, which is sufficient for trainer aircraft. This will have to be upgraded to category-3.

Recently, an engineer from the Airports Authority of India is believed to have visited the Pondicherry airport to study its facilities.

The airport has still not received a formal notice from Jagson Airlines, itis learnt. However, the airline officials were quoted as saying that a letter will be sent soon. Local airport authorities say that there is no need for any major sprucing up, since the support infrastructure is in place and the 4000-feet runway is also in good condition.