MADURAI: The resuming of Madurai-Singapore-Madurai Air India Express flight service operations from 29th March 2022 is facing a timing problem as the airport here functions only till 10 pm whereas the scheduled departure of Singapore flight from Madurai is at 9.35 pm. There is now a concern among the trade and industry and the general public that this important flight service may be diverted to some other airport just because the Madurai airport is closed at 10 pm.
An appeal has been made through a press statement to the Madurai airport director and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to take immediate steps to resume and operate the Air India Express Madurai-Singapore-Madurai service at scheduled time as usual. Mr.N.Jegatheesan, president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has today made a request to the airport authorities here and the MPs from southern districts to intervene and take steps to resume the Madurai-Singapore-Madurai flight operations as scheduled by Air India Express.
“Due to inability of flights to land in Madurai airport from 10 pm to 6 am, this problem is arising. The Madurai-Singapore flight departure time is 9.35 pm and we are requesting the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to take steps for resuming this flight service because it is convenient for the public and exporters,” he pointed out.
SINGAPORE DECISION:
Singapore has now reopened its doors for international flight services. Air India Express has scheduled to operate flight services between Singapore-Madurai-Singapore from 29th March 2022, two days in a week- Tuesday and Saturday. The flight IX0683 departs from Singapore and arrives at Madurai airport at 18.40 hrs. In the other way, flight IX0684 departs from Madurai at 21.35 hrs and arrives in Singapore at 4.30 am.
The TN Chamber president has said that both the timings are very ideal not only for the passengers but also for cargo exports especially perishable commodities. “Madurai airport is the gateway for international travel for the people of 10 southern districts. It receives many foreign tourists. A sizable number of Tamil-speaking people are there in Singapore and there is substantial traffic in Singapore-Madurai sector with good patronage for direct flight service,” he said.
Madurai airport is now working in two shifts from 6 am to 10 pm. Due to deployment of insufficient number of CISF personnel, third shift is not functioning in Madurai airport and hence there is no landing of flights from 10 pm to 6 am, Mr.Jegatheesan has said in a press statement issued from Madurai on 21st March 2022.
The TN Chamber has said that it wants to know whether the Madurai airport director has given approval for the Madurai-Singapore flight at 21.35 hrs. “Air India Express has no idea to prepone the flight departure time since the landing time slot is not available or feasible to prepone. Hence, we are urging the Madurai airport director to take steps to resume the Madurai-Singapore-Madurai flight operations as scheduled by Air India Express,” he added.
