Title: Request to allow the private operators for flights to be operated from the Cochin International Airport.
(MUVATTUPUZHA): Sir, about three to four years back the Cochin International Airport was opened and declared as an international airport. It is a very good airport with all the facilities. It is working very well and all the certificates from DGCA and other authorities have been obtained to enable the flights come and go. A number of airlines have applied for permission to fly not only to that airport but also to fly from that airport to other international destinations. Unfortunately, the Government of India is not allowing that. The Government of India is not allowing the other operators to come into the picture even though the policy is that of liberalisation and open sky. If those applicants are eligible, the Government of India should not sit tight over them. Let the skies be opened. Let the passengers come and go so that more tourists come to India and that airport can be fully utilised. That airport is also finding it difficult to go on without having adequate number of flights, because the cost is very high. So, I would submit that the operators who have applied for flights to be operated from that airport to international destination and from international destinations to Cochin must be considered immediately. If otherwise found eligible, they should be allowed to fly to Cochin.