Bengal's Andal airport to commence operations on May 18

India's first private greenfield airport has been set up in collaboration with Changi International Airport

Singapore’s Changi promoted India’s first greenfield airport at Durgapur is set to commence operations on May 18, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.

“Flight services will commence at Andal airport from 18 May. Greenfield airport at Andal is the first one in India. 17 airports were announced across India, only the one in Bengal is completed,” Banerjee said.

According to officials, Pinnacle Air will launch of their non-scheduled airline operation through small fixed-wing aircrafts connecting regional airports of Andal and Cooch Behar in North Bengal to Kolkata four days a week.

Among the scheduled airlines GoAir and Indigo are engaged in the final stage of negotiations with Bengal Aerotropolis Limited (BAPL) to commence operations on Delhi-Durgapur route.

In an attempt to attract airlines, BAPL is offering concession on landing and parking fee and subsidy on seats to the airlines. Beside, West Bengal is the first state in the country to waive the 100 per cent sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) at Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, along with Cooch Behar and Bagdogra, for a 3-year period. Negotiations is currently on with both Indigo and GoAir on these concessional agreements.

Banerjee, also, said, “Soon there will be flights from Singapore to Andal. We are thankful to the Changi group for their support and cooperation.” BAPL officials, however, could not confirm this.

However, BAPL, in which Changi Airports International owns a 36.32 per cent stake, clarified it would not wait for scheduled airlines to start commercial operation as Pinnacle Air has already confirmed its proposed operation.

Apart from this, BAPL is also in negotiation with another non-scheduled airline Air Costa to connect Durgapur with Bangalore and Hyderabad.