AAI calls for tender to expand car parking at existing terminal in Cimbatore

Coimbatore: As part of the redevelopment project of the existing terminal at the Coimbatore International Airport, Airport Authority of India (AAI) has called for a tender to expand the car parking space at Rs 10.6 crore.
The proposed car park will be more than double the size of the existing parking lot and the project has been planned in two phases.
An AAI officer said the existing parking lot has a capacity to accommodate 236 cars and a few two-wheelers on approximately 2.4 acres, while the new lot will accommodate 524 cars.
The proposed expansion is expected to spread across nearly 7-8 acres in addition to the existing space.
The proposed parking expansion plan also includes allotment of space for arrival and pick-up.
According to AAI website, the last date to bid is May 20. The tender subject is mentioned as Modification and Shifting of Carpark at Coimbatore International Airport–Phase I.
As per the plan, the surface-level car and bike parking will be constructed in phase 1 and will accommodate 524 cars and 160 bikes. Phase 1 is expected to be ready in nine months after the allotment of the contract.
It has been proposed to allocate 46 bays for taxis, five for buses and 11 as premium parking spaces in the second phase.
"The expansion of car parking at Coimbatore airport is a much needed one. It needs to be completed in a time-bound manner. Along with this, AAI needs to address the issue of terminal congestion and increase the existing terminal capacity to manage traffic from the next 5-7 years until the new terminal becomes operational," Shyam Prabhu, an aviation analyst, said.
Director of the Kongu Global Forum J Sathish said there was an increase in air traffic despite limitations in the existing terminal.
"AAI should operate the additional terminal building that is kept on hold. When it becomes operational, the growth of air traffic will increase even more," he added.