Trial flight landing at Kalaburagi airport in April first week

Having an airport of their own, a  long cherished dream of Kalaburagi people is inching closer. The trial landing of an aircraft at Kalaburagi Airport on Sedam Road is scheduled to be held in the first week of April.  

"The trial landing by a training aircraft will be held in the first week of April," said Medical Education and District In-Charge Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil addressing a press conference here, on Thursday.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has permitted the trial and all preparations had been made, he said and added that deputy commissioner and other officers were coordinating with AAI. The trial landing is likely to be conducted by GMR company.

"The work on the 3.26 km runway is complete and the work on the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower is nearing completion," he said.

"The trial landing is an indication that airport is ready," he said and added that pending airport works will be completed by April 25.

"Our's is a full-fledged airport. Even a Boeing aircraft can land here. That is the reason the length of the runway was extended beyond 3 km," he said replying to a question.

Patil said a Cabinet decision has been taken to call for tenders and fix an operator for the airport. Besides, tenders will also be called for airline operators.

The minister said that even if election code of conduct comes in to force, the trail landing will not be affected as it will be handled by officials.