AAI, MSIDC sign MoU for UDAN operations at Ratnagiri Airport
05 Mar 2019
The Ratnagiri airport, a defence airport, is all set to start civil air operations soon. An MoU is being signed between Airport Authority of India and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) today, which will facilitate activation of Regional Connectivity Scheme operations under the UDAN scheme from Ratnagiri airport.
As per the MoU, AAI will provide all support for activation of the airport, including CNS/ATM services.
MIDC, on its part, will provide infrastructure for handling of aircraft and passengers, such as building passenger terminal, apron and taxiway for commencing RCS operations.
Union minister for civil aviation Suresh Prabhu has been speaking with all stakeholders such as the ministry of defence, the Maharashtra government and the Airport Authority of India to make Ratnagiri airport a civilian airport.
“We are fully committed to start air operations from Ratnagiri at the earliest. Bids under UDAN 3.1 have already been invited for operations for Ratnagiri-Mumbai-Ratnagiri sector. In order to speed up the work of construction of civil terminal and establishing navigation facilities, AAI is ready to work with MIDC and an MoU is being signed between AAI and MIDC in this regard on 5th March, 2019. We fully support and are committed to early operationalisation of both Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri airports to boost tourism and economy of the Konkan Region,” the minister said.