Aviation varsity plan takes off, The university to come up on 300 acres at Begumpet airport

BY V L Srinivasan

Published on Oct 25, 2006

Hyderabad: THE plan to set up country’s first aviation university in the city has gained momentum with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in the Civil Aviation Ministry giving nod to it.

The aviation university is being set up by the State Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in about 300 acres of the existing Begumpet airport which will be shut down after the Shamshabad international airport commences its commercial operations in March/April 2008.

It was after much persuasion by the State Government that AAI had agreed to give up part of the 798 acres on which the existing airport was built more than four decades ago.

The aviation university will cover all aspects of aviation training, including flying, aviation management, legislature, safety, security, finance and economics. Of the total area, 92 acres have been encroached upon and around 14 acres are being used by the Indian Air Force for its operations for many years. IAF has even set up a hangar for its use.

Even the Defence Ministry eyed the prime land requesting the AP Government to hand over the existing airport to it as it is close to three IAF stations – Dundigul, Hakimpet and Bidar – for training IAF personnel. The request, however, was turned down by the State Government.

On the other hand, AAI proposed to set up a training institute for offering technical courses and other related training in communication and navigation systems and air traffic management. The existing infrastructure will be developed to have a world-class Advance Aviation Training Institute and the aviation university.

‘‘We have initiated discussions with AAI to take over the land at Begumpet airport and also prepare a project report by inviting expression of interest from reputed consultants. The proposal has also been sent to the Union HRD Ministry seeking permission for establishment of the aviation university,’’ official sources told City Express.

Accordingly, the terminal building, air traffic control (ATC) and existing infrastructure will be upgraded and shared by both AAI and the State Government for the proposed training institute. Even a working group with officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and State Government is being constituted to work out modalities for establishing the aviation university.