In a couple of months from now, the city is set to see the first international flight take off from the Chandigarh Airport. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has given permission to Fly Dubai, a low-cost carrier of Emirates Airlines, to fly a daily direct flight to Dubai from Chandigarh.

The Punjab Government has called a meeting on June 19, which will be attended by Intelligence Bureau and Customs officials, besides the representatives of Airport Authority of India (AAI) to work out the modalities to set up customs and immigration counters at the airport for international operations.

With the IB reportedly facing shortage of staff for immigration duties, the Punjab Police will send nearly 30 personnel on deputation for the purpose.

“The meeting will decide on how much time the agencies will take to set up all the facilities. The police personnel to be posted on immigration duty will be sent to the Amritsar International Airport for training,” said a government official.

Andrew A Brokker-Tormey of Fly Dubai has communicated to Sunil Dutt, the director of Chandigarh Airport, saying a two-member team will visit the airport to see the facilities, and also to formalise the air traffic control, airport security, fire-fighting equipment, runway and taxiways.

On May 14, N Radhakrishnan, Under Secretary, Civil Aviation, wrote to the AAI that Fly Dubai had been allowed to commence operations from the Chandigarh Airport. His letter reportedly requested the AAI to put in place at the earliest all the facilities required for international operations. In April, the Ministry of External Affairs had written to the UAE Embassy on this.

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