Guwahati Chief Airport Officer (CAO) of Guwahati International Airport Ltd (GIAL), Utpal Baruah, controlled by the Adani Group, on Wednesday said he has resigned from the post taking moral responsibility for "several anonymous communications" regarding "certain developments". In the terminal.
Without formally accepting the resignation, the company immediately appointed Ashwin Noronha, who was working as chief operating officer at Mumbai International Airport Ltd, as the new CAO of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport here.
"I have done my bit for the development of Guwahati airport to the best of my ability. I decide to move forward because now there is someone there to run the airport," Baruah said in a statement.
Baruah has been working at GIAL, the operator of the LGBI airport, since the management of it was transferred to the Gujarat-based private entity of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in October 2021.
Although he has not cited any specific reason for the abrupt decision, which employees describe as shocking, he further said: "Several anonymous communications have been sent regarding certain developments at the airport and out of moral responsibility as a responsible executive, I decide to step down."
His decision to resign comes at a time when a new international terminal is being built for the Guwahati airport at a cost of over Rs 2,000 crore, which is likely to be ready by mid-2025.
Airport sources, however, said Baruah's resignation has not been accepted at this time.
In a separate statement, the GIAL stated that Noronha has been appointed in Baruah's place with immediate effect.
Commenting on his new role, Noronha said: "Airport management is complex and challenging, and can make a huge difference to people's lives. I am really looking forward to this leadership opportunity and continuing to make positive impacts."
He also thanked his predecessor Baruah stating that the first CAO played an intrinsic role in the development of the Airport.
A veteran of the aviation industry, Noronha has worked at Qatar Airways Group, KPMG and Zurich Airports in India, he added.
Last week, Baruah had said that the LGBI airport will move to its next new terminal, which is being developed at a total cost of over Rs 2,000 crore, by April 2025.
The initial target for completing the new integrated terminal building was December 2024, but it was delayed by about four months due to the company's design change, he added.
The company statement further said that Guwahati airport processed over five lakh passengers in May 2024, almost 15 per cent more than the corresponding month of 2023.
"To manage the tremendous growth and enable passenger delight in the years to come, Guwahati Airport is expected to witness significant changes...The development will focus on redefining the airport's infrastructure through growth in regional footprint," he added.
Without formally accepting the resignation, the company immediately appointed Ashwin Noronha, who was working as chief operating officer at Mumbai International Airport Ltd, as the new CAO of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport here.
"I have done my bit for the development of Guwahati airport to the best of my ability. I decide to move forward because now there is someone there to run the airport," Baruah said in a statement.
Baruah has been working at GIAL, the operator of the LGBI airport, since the management of it was transferred to the Gujarat-based private entity of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in October 2021.
Although he has not cited any specific reason for the abrupt decision, which employees describe as shocking, he further said: "Several anonymous communications have been sent regarding certain developments at the airport and out of moral responsibility as a responsible executive, I decide to step down."
His decision to resign comes at a time when a new international terminal is being built for the Guwahati airport at a cost of over Rs 2,000 crore, which is likely to be ready by mid-2025.
Airport sources, however, said Baruah's resignation has not been accepted at this time.
In a separate statement, the GIAL stated that Noronha has been appointed in Baruah's place with immediate effect.
Commenting on his new role, Noronha said: "Airport management is complex and challenging, and can make a huge difference to people's lives. I am really looking forward to this leadership opportunity and continuing to make positive impacts."
He also thanked his predecessor Baruah stating that the first CAO played an intrinsic role in the development of the Airport.
A veteran of the aviation industry, Noronha has worked at Qatar Airways Group, KPMG and Zurich Airports in India, he added.
Last week, Baruah had said that the LGBI airport will move to its next new terminal, which is being developed at a total cost of over Rs 2,000 crore, by April 2025.
The initial target for completing the new integrated terminal building was December 2024, but it was delayed by about four months due to the company's design change, he added.
The company statement further said that Guwahati airport processed over five lakh passengers in May 2024, almost 15 per cent more than the corresponding month of 2023.
"To manage the tremendous growth and enable passenger delight in the years to come, Guwahati Airport is expected to witness significant changes...The development will focus on redefining the airport's infrastructure through growth in regional footprint," he added.
