Hyderabad|India|November'2010: Trying to allay fears about the law and order situation in the State after December 31, when Srikrishna Committee will submit its report on Telangana issue , Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan said Hyderabad is a safe place for investments.

“What will happen after December 31. January 1 will come. Do not have any apprehensions about the city and December 31,” Narasimhan told the audience in his inaugural speech at Aviation Conclave-2010 – a three day event which began here today.

He said the State is working hard to develop Hyderabad as aerospace hub of India and invited delegates of the conclave to have a feel of the place.

He suggested that there is a need to develop and indigenous passenger aircraft.Quoting reports from Airbus and Boeing, he said India requires large number of aircrafts in the next 20 years.

“Since the air travel has come within the reach of middle classes, it is time to focus on local aircraft. A 100-seater aircraft will be worthwhile, indeed, viable proposition,” the Governor said.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Director General VK Saraswat, who is chairman of the conclave said with the reduction in margins due to competition, the average flying time of an aircraft has gone up and the aircraft needs to fly a minimum of 12 to 14 hours to be profitable.

“This requires establishment of MROs with specialist facilities and qualified personnel to handle them. The growing numbers of Indian aircrafts and upgradation of airports to the standards of hubs have presented an opportunity to establish MRO facilities in India,”
Saraswat said.

He said many business opportunities would emerge during the conclave and the conference would be highly productive.

-Nov'2010