TALKS FOR RESUMPTION OF AIR LINKS WITH TURKEY SOON---SHAHNAWAZ
Shri Shahnawaz Hussain, Civil Aviation Minister
called on Dr. Oktay Vural, Turkish Minister of Transport to discuss
cooperation in civil aviation sectors and proposed for resumption
of direct air links between India and Turkey, at Istanbul in Turkey,
today. For further discussion on the resumption of flights between
the two countries a Turkish delegation will be visiting India
shortly.
Shri Shahnawaz Hussain is at Istanbul, Turkey
to participate in International Civil Aviation Equipment Exposition
2002 (AIREX
2002) which was inaugurated by Dr. Oktay Vural,
Turkish Minister of Transport, yesterday. Speaking on the occasion
Shri Hussain, offered to initiate a dialogue with Turkey to further
strengthen the cordial relation between India and Turkey in view
of the fact that India has a huge tourist potentials due to its
rich history, cultural heritage, and diversity. Mr. Hussain informed
that India has also initiated action to use the satellite technology
in communication, navigation, surveillance at par with the latest
in the development of global civil aviation through implementation
of satellite based augmentation system. This new system would
help the aircraft to increase air space capacity, and reduce congestion
in the high density air space and also the aircraft would take
a straight route from origin by saving flying time and precious
fuel to the airline. Mr. Hussain also stated that with the aim
to realise the dream of an advanced civil aviation set- up in
India, government shall be developing to world standards all the
four major international airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and
Chennai through long-term leasing.
Mr. Hussain said that in India aviation has been
recognised as an important engine of growth for the economy through
facilitation of international trade, foreign direct investment,
tourism, import and export, and private investments from Non Resident
Indians. Mr. Hussain further said that Government of India in
its conscious consideration to meet the increase in demand on
the infra-structure requirements has drawn an ambitious long term
plan in a phased manner to keep pace with the ever increasing
air traffic and rapidly advancing aircraft technology. India has
initiated the implementation of International Civil Aviation Organisation's
(ICAO) satellite- based "Communication and Navigation Air Traffic
Management System" (CNS-ATM) at all Indian airports.
Dr. Oktay Vural, Minister of Transport of Turkey
stressed the need for upgradation of civil aviation infra-structure
at par with international standards with safety and security on
top most priority. AIREX 2002 the single "civil
only" aviation exposition is intended to establish
a business platform to satisfy the need of the tremendous potential
of the region which extends from Eastern Europe to the Turkish
Republics of Central Asia and even the South East Asian regions
which is among the fast growing civil aviation markets in the
world.
