New Airlines on Mangalore-Gulf Route Soon, Fares Likely to Reduce
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Oct 11: Mangalore International Airport director M R Vasudeva on Thursday October 11 hinted that with some of the airline companies coming forward to operate between Gulf countries and Mangalore, the fares are likely to be slashed in the coming days.
"Three to four airline companies will operate five or six aircraft to Gulf countries by March 2013," he said, addressing reporters at ‘Meet the Press’, an interactive session held here on Thursday October 11.
He said that airline companies like Etihad and Air Arabia have shown interest in operating flights between Mangalore and Sharjah / Abu Dhabi. "In addition to revision in ticket fares, people would benefit by way of convenient timings if more flights are operated. Discusssion in regard is on at the ministry level," he revealed.
However, he pointed out that that flights from Mangalore to countries like America and the European continent is not a possibility right now, as passenger potentiality is the deciding factor to commence direct aircrafts to these countries. "If passengers to aforesaid countries are not in sufficient numbers, what is the viability in operating direct flights?" he questioned.
He also said that Jet Airways will start operating between Mangalore and Mumbai by October 28.
Recalling his initial days in Mangalore Airport way back in 2002, Vasudeva said that 206 families who sacrificed their land for the second runway had to be rehabilitated in a school building, however, afterwards they were given a good colony. He said that 10 years ago Bajpe airport as well as the area had hardly seen any developement, but today the airport is of world class standards with facilities that are lacking in other airports.
He expressed his satisfaction and the work he has put in over the years, and said that he could retire happily now that the airport has earned international tag. Vasudeva would be retiring from his post at the end of this month.
Asserting that more work is yet to take place in Mangalore International Airport, he said, "If air cargo complex is built soon, the region will see more development. A wrong notion with regard to safety of table top airport had to be removed to earn the international tag for Mangalore Airport. Decisive factors like sloping runway and distance-to-go markers were fulfilled within four and two months' time respectively," he said.
He stated that Mangalore International Airport enjoys exceptional radar and navigation equipment when compared to Kochi and Coimbatore airports.
"Passengers at Mangalore Airport have increased considerably over the years. There were 9,30,000 passengers this year, which is 4 times higher than in 2002."
To a query, Vasudeva said that runway extension with pillars costs the same as filling the valley with soil. "Jumbo aircraft can operate if the runway is extended after acquiring 250 acres of land," he said.
Press Club president Ramakrishna honoured Vasudeva on the occasion.