Thiruvananthapuram: Giving fresh hopes to the long-pending plan of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to have an air-wing in Thiruvananthapuram, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to provide alternative space near the old domestic terminal of the airport for the facility.
Airport director George Tharakan said the procedures for allowing space in the building adjacent to the old terminal as well as a bay was in final stages. The space in the old terminal earlier earmarked for Coast Guard is getting converted as an international cargo terminal, and hence the alternative.
It was also proposed to station a Dornier aircraft and a Chetak helicopter in Thiruvananthapuram so that it could be swiftly pressed into service for rescue operations.
The need for Coast Guard air wing was felt even during the recent Ockhi cyclone. Coast Guard will have to bring rescue aircraft and choppers from Kochi for rescue operation in Thiruvananthapuram region.
Though the AAI had allotted space in the old domestic terminal for Coast Guard a couple of years back, there was a delay in getting the final nod from ICG's headquarters for the air-wing. Subsequently, AAI decided to set up a cargo terminal at the proposed area.
