Saturday, September 10 2005 14:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: Come October and Nagpur will be on the International air map as Air Arabia will be connecting a direct flight to Sharjah from here next month, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation (independent charge), Praful Patel said in Nagpur today (Sept 10, 2005).

"The necessary formalities for launching of an International flight, the first from second capital of Maharashtra, including customs and immigration ones will be done very soon and Air Arabia will connect by a direct flight at an affordable cost," Patel told reporters on the sidelines of flagging of Nagpur-Nasik-Mumbai Air Deccan flight today.

He said with introduction of Nagpur-Sharjah flight, the airport, which is named after Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, will showcase the historic importance of city. There will be a tremendous boost to economic activities of Vidarbha region.

Physical process of setting up proposed international passenger and cargo hub which is also known as Mihan, will commence in year 2006, Patel said adding, the status of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Nagpur will be shot in the arm for cargo hub project.

Nagpur which is geographically located in the heart of country will be a major base for aviation related activities, Patel said adding, the Boeing company has already agreed for setting up a maintenance hub here.