GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has signed two memoranda of understanding (MOU) with two Malaysian aviation-related companies to develop the airport and set up a flight training centre.

The first MOU was signed between the airport and Malaysian Airports Consultancy Services (MACS) for the commercial development of the airport, says GHIAL.

"Upon the identification of a commercial project, both parties will negotiate and enter into an independent agreement which will define the scope of technical services, payment of fees, obligations and responsibilities of each party in the respective commercial project," it adds.

MACS is a subsidiary of Malaysian Airports Holdings, which has an 11% stake in the Hyderabad airport.

It already provides consultancy services to GHIAL through an agreement signed in 2004, and is also involved in personnel training at the airport.

GHIAL also signed an MOU with Asia Pacific Flight Training (APFT) to set up a flight training centre in partnership with Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen India, says the airport. The cost of the project is estimated to be about $2.5 million, it adds.

APFT specialises in pilot training courses for commercial airlines, including Malaysian Airlines, according to the company's website. It is based at Sultan Ismail Petra airport, in the north-eastern state of Kelantan.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news