Madurai airport gears up to handle VIP arrivals

MADURAI: Expecting many landings and takeoffs due to the arrival of several VIPs at the Madurai International Airport on Thursday, in order for them to attend the funeral of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, authorities have decided to involve all its 102 staff to manage everything without any hindrance.
Union minister for urban development Venkaiah Naidu, who came to Madurai to receive Kalam’s body, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a few Union ministers, and other VIPs will be attending the funeral.However, police are not sure about the number of VIPs coming to Rameswaram via Madurai airport. “We expect many unscheduled arrivals of dignitaries,” said a police officer in the city.
Those who come by flights to rush to Rameswaram, should use either Madurai or Trichy airports. Interestingly, this is the first time that the Madurai airport will be witnessing such rush on Thursday. The Madurai airport has parking capacity of seven flights at a time.
At present, 13 flights land and take off in a day. They include 10 domestic flights to Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, and three international flights to Dubai and Colombo. “The airport management has arranged for landing and taking off of all aircrafts without any hindrance,” said Madurai airport director, Kuldeep Singh Rishi.
He added that airport’s 102 staff from air traffic, terminal management, engineering, etc., are involved in the duty.
It is expected that a few VIPs including the Prime Minister will reach Mandapam by helicopter from Madurai airport and then proceed to Rameswaram by road.
Meanwhile, the Madurai city and rural police have made elaborate security arrangements in the city and en route to Rameswaram from the airport. About 3,000 personnel from the battalion, armed forces etc., are being deployed for the purpose. “We are operating arrangements jointly with the district police and taking care of arrivals of VIPs, and their stay in the city, if any,” said city commissioner of police, Sailesh Kumar Yadav.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, many people from various parts of the district descended outside the airport to have a glimpse of the special IAF aircraft carrying the body of Kalam. Many were seen holding placards demanding that the Madurai airport be named after the former President.