HAL to showcase ‘achievements’ at India Aviation 2014

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the Indian aircraft manufacturer controlled by the defence ministry, will be among those showcasing its developments in the civil aviation sector at India Aviation 2014, which takes off on Wednesday.

The company, labelled as a blue-chip 'Navratna' company by the government, will be displaying models of the advanced light helicopter (ALH, VIP version), multirole transport aircraft (MTA), Dornier and light utility helicopter (LUH). The focus is also on HAL airports at Bangalore and Nasik, the company said in a press release on Tuesday.

HAL's Bangalore Airport has a runway of 3.3 km in length and 61 m in width, which is capable of handling aircraft of the Boeing 747 class. The new airport terminal at HAL Ozar Airport in Nasik, inaugurated recently, has a runway with night landing facility and has an apron for parking six passenger aircraft, HAL added in a quizzical statement.

Aircraft fuel cost at Ozar is likely to be less compared to Mumbai due to difference in taxation, which would be a major advantage to any airline, HAL said.

''It will be a good platform for HAL to showcase its achievements in civil aviation sector since nearly 50 companies from all over the world, including the global giants are participating in the exhibition along with scores of delegates,'' HAL chairman Dr R K Tyagi said.