Indore: Centre has cleared the decks for international flight the city by clearing immigration check post for Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. “In pursuance of sub-rule of rule 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, the Central Government has designated the city airport as an authorized immigration check post for entry /exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers,” a gazette notification issued by the Union home ministry reads.
“Immigration counter in city has cleared the way for operation of international flights from Indore,” said airport director Aryama Sanyal. Customs office and immigration check post are two mandatory facilities for operation of international flights from any airport. The city airport already has finance department’s approval for customs office. It was the absence of immigration check post that had thwarted international flights from the city.
The gazette notification has now removed the last hurdle. In 2004, the customs office was approved at airport for international cargo facility. However in-principle nod for international flights was received from Union civil aviation ministry only last year. An inspection report submitted by a team of customs, CISF and Airport Authority of India led to customs notification for airport on September 8, 2018. Following the development airport expedited process for immigration check post.
Though proposal for immigration check post was approved a couple of months ago, the notification was delayed as Model Code of Conduct came into force due to Lok Sabha elections. The notification was issued as soon as poll code was lifted. The news about start of international flights from the city was shared with reporters by newly-elected
FIRST FLIGHT TO SHARJAH
Jet and Indigo were keen to launch international flights from Indore but dropped the idea owing to low passenger rush. Meanwhile, Air India announced plans to launch Delhi-Indore-Sharjah flight from March. However, the plan is yet to be implemented. “International passenger facility will officially commence from Indore with the proposed Air India flight,” said the airport director.
