Mangalore: KNRI Forum's Next Goal - Direct Flight to Saudi
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Jan 2: The Karnataka NRI Forum (KNRIF), which focuses on matters pertaining to having direct flight to Mangalore from Gulf, is working on connecting other destinations, especially Saudi Arabia to Mangalore, said Rajesh Sequeira, coordinator Karnataka NRI Forum, UAE.
Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday January 2, he said that the forum in conjunction with West Coast NRI forum from Dammam and Karavali Welfare Association, Riyadh has already started working towards this goal.
"With former airport director M R Vasudeva presently representing Karnataka NRI Forum, Mangalore along with Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the struggle will go on till we achieve our goals of having direct flights from other Gulf and Middle East countries by various airlines," he added.
Rajesh further said that the Forum since its inception on September 3, 2004 has taken up various issues jointly with KCCI, the local government authorities, politicians, state and central government and others. "The achievements of the forum are mainly due to team work and support from various persons," he added, expressing special gratitude to Jayaprakash Hegde, MP, Udupi-Chikmagalur, Dolphy D’Souza, advisory member, labour welfare fund, union ministry of labour and employment and others.
He also spoke about the recent achievement, that is, Jet Airways direct flight to Dubai from Mangalore which is set to start operations on January 3. "The direct flight will have various benefits like enhanced connectivity, reasonable and affordable rates by having healthy competition, tourist influx to city and many others," he said.
M R Vasudev, former Managlore Airport director and coordinator of KNRIF, Mangalore in his address expressed his gratitude to Daijiworld.com for its support and for being a major contributor to the Forum’s success. "It is they (Daijiworld.com) who placed NRIs needs before the public and created awareness on various issues," he added.
Commenting on the prospects of launching Saudi Arabia-Mangalore direct flight, he said already 25,000 people from Saudi have provided their passport numbers stating that they need direct flight.
He also said that there are chance of more number of international airlines flying to Gulf countries from Mangalore.
Walter Nandalike, chief editor of Daijiworld.com; Dolphy D’Souza, Narayan Bhat, member of West Coast NRI Forum, Dubai among others were present.