GMR Infrastructure - GHIAL gets clearance to commence operations at Hyderabad Intl Airport

23 Mar 2008, Source: INR NEWS

Hyderabad, India, March 23, 2008 - GMR Infrastructure Ltd has informed BSE that GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), a subsidiary Company had received notification from Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to commence commercial operations at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad from 0001 hours on March 23, 2008.

In this regards, GHIAL has issued the following Press Release:

"GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) promoted Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on March 20, 2008 received notification from Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to commence operations from 0001 hours on March 23, 2008.

This is in pursuance of clause 5.5 of the Concession Agreement signed between the Government of India and GHIAL on December 20, 2004. Consequent to commissioning of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad, w.e.f. 00:01 hours of March 23, 2008, the existing airport at Hyderabad will no longer be available for civil aviation operations [which shall for these purposes, not include use of airport activity at times of national emergency or (at any time) by aircraft owned or operated by or for the Indian Air Force or other Armed Forces of India or Para-military forces of India or police or such other authorities or for transportation of dignitaries by special Government owned, leased or hired VIP aircraft]. The International Air Transport Association Code "HYD" for the existing airport is transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from the above date a time.

General aviation services (other than those relating to commercial aircraft, charter flights, aircraft hired or operated under commercial arrangements) may continue to be provided at the existing airport at Hyderabad, notwithstanding the exclusion of civil aviation operations for commercial aircraft. The license issued to AAI by the DGCA for operating the existing airport at Begumpet, Hyderabad shall stand amended specifically to the above extent.

GHIAL has also received the following additional clearances;

1. Aerodrome Licence and Clearance for Operations of Fire Fighting Systems from the The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

2. Environmental Clearance granting consent for operations from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB)

3. Clearance for the airport as a notified Customs zone."