Mangalore: Dream Realized as Kuwait-bound Metal Bird Takes-off in Style


Mangalore: Dream Realized as Kuwait-bound Metal Bird Takes-off in Style

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)
Inputs Abrar Khan - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Photo Album Click here

Mangalore, Jul 17: As the giant metal bird bearing the banner of Air India Express left the Mangalore tarmac for Kuwait, Thursday July 17 evening was sealed firmly in the annals of Mangalore's aviation circles. Lacs of Mangaloreans working and living in Kuwait had dreamt of this historic day a million times in the last few years while a quite a few of them had contributed their best towards realizing this dream. Even when chips were down, they did not give up; when they had to swim against the tide, they did not deter and finally when they were up against challenges, they were upto it. If direct flight to Kuwait from Mangalore has become a reality it is because prayers an wishes of lacs of people, steal and resolve of a thousands of them and day-in-and-day-out efforts of a few more.

The Kuwait-bound Air India Express flight was to take-off to the skies at 7.40 pm on Thursday July 17. But it was delayed. Passengers after completing all their emigration and security formalities, slowly marched towards this giant metal bird which was ready to take them to their destination through a historic and dream journy around 7.30 pm. When it was dot 8 pm, Kuwait-bound flight started on a slow pace on the second runway before gathering speed and finally taking-off in a zip. 

As the flight soon disappeared in the dark Mangalorean sky, hundreds of people who had gathered in the airport broke into celebration. This was indeed a blessed occasion and it was proved as it started drizzling in the vicinity.

Mangalore airport director M R Vasudeva, who has been the backbone behind all these developments at the airport, Karnataka NRI Forum convener Rajesh Sequeira who has contributed his best in realizing this dream were among the few dignitaries who were eyewitnesses to this historic moment.

Eversince first international flight to Dubai had been launched, Mangalore airport had always witnessed first landing, since flights usually took-off abroad. But this time around, it was a different story as first flight took-off from Mangalore to Kuwait.

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    Comment on this article

    • Arkal Vittal Hegde, Mangalore, Surathkal

      Tue, Nov 25 2008

      Congratulations and thanks to Mr. Vasudeva Rao and Air India Team on a further step towards Nation building. After Kuwait, Mangaloreans would surely love to have a direct connection to Bangkok and far east capitals, which is quite tedious now.

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    • Naveen Bhakta, Manjeshwar

      Sun, Aug 17 2008

      Excellent pictures, keep the good work.

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    • Cyprian & Jessy DANTIS, Kadri,Mangalore-Kuwait

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      I was waiting to travel on maiden flight ,and postponed my vacation 2 times . but there was no news of starting day so I left kuwait via, and via. Now after hearing direct flight, I am thinking Thursday night I will fly to Mangalore and comeback sunday morning . No more vacation .Now every month visit to Mangalore. Thanks to High command,Media,Airport Autorities and the people who really worked hard behind this route. God Bless you all. C.J.Dantis Kadri-Kuwait

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    • Christle Dsouza, Bejai/Mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Finally!!!!!!! the day has come..The Air India Express has been really helful for us. it saves lot of time of the passengers. they dont have to waste their time in the Airport waiting for the connecting flight... A Big Thank you to all who were involved in this project............ Also it would be a great help, if the Staff be more polite with the passengers. most of the time the staff dont coordinate well with the passengers.( Ground Staff )

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    • Mohammed Siraj, Shirva - Dammam - K.S.A

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Thanks to Air India express,operations & Management for operating one more direct flight from Kuwait. Now the its time to finalize the matter and to operate the direct flight from saudi arabia, either from Jeddah/Riyadh/Dammam. as far as my conern it is better to have at least one or two flights weekly, one directly from Jeddah and one will connect with either Riyahd/Dammam to Mangalore or Dammam/ Riyadh - Mangalore. we hope our dreams will come true very soon., we request honarable MR. vasudev, will lookinto this matter and do the needful, thanks & regards,

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    • Abdul Lathif, Mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Congratulations AIR INDIA Express. Another feather in your cap.

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    • Abdul Khader Kulai, Kulai,M'lore,Kuwait

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Great... Thanks to all who put their efferts in this field. Next is KSA....Mangalore. Yapand Gottujji

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    • philip, karkala

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      really its very happy to know about direct flight to mangalore from kuwait.thanks to all efforts make this dream true. iwish happy safe jurney.

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    • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore/U.S.A.

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      This is yet another feather in the cap for Mr. Vasudev Rao who has been greatly responsible for the all round growth of The Bajpe Airport. This unassuming gentleman means business and even though he has made great strides towards progress of The Mangalore International airport he is blessed with simplicity of heart and mind. It is also good to see The Air India lady manager doing a fine job. I had an occasion to meet this fine lady recently at a party and indeed she is blessed great sales qualities. She is convincing, humourohumorousgreat manager. I am sure that during her tenure traffic between Mangalore and other parts of the world will see considerable growth. Joe Gonsalves

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    • Rahul Rasquinha, Mangalore,(Kuwait)

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      It was a great flight. A great experience to see the bird taking off from Mangalore. Thanks to Mr.Rajesh Sequiera and all of the Air India staff for letting us stand as the welcome comity for Air India Express.

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    • Rammohan, Puttur

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Why not link Kuwait with U S for onward journey from Mangalore directly to U S, as now one has to go to Bangalore or Mumbai

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    • Lancy D Souza, Bondel-mangalore/kuwait

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Congratulations to all Mangaloreans in kuwait, on this great day (the Direct flight to Mangalore )today our long cherished dream has come true,i wish all mangaloreans traveling today to mangalore- A very pleasant and safe journey. I thank you all, who worked very hard behind this project(mission) may god bless u all.

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    • William Mascarenhas, Moodbidri/ Dubai

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      At last! the dream comes true. Thanks to all for their efforts to make this dream real.Happy & safe journey............

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    • Cyril, united kingdom

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Now Kuwait & most of middle east dream became a reality, we are waiting for the uk Indians to fly directly to Mangalore with a connection via middle east or anywhere from world. We hope AI Express or any other airline help us in this matter.

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    • From All Mangaloreans from Kuwait, Mangalore

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      CUDO`S..... To everyone Thanks Mr.Vasudev..Our special Thanks to media , Daijiword, Mangaloreans, who is updating the dreams to reality..... Thanks to everyone ..... Enjoy your journey...

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    • Imthiyaz Ahmed, Arkula, Farangipet (KUWAIT)

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Its time to see the Kuwait’s blue sky in expectation of IA flight with Mangalore’s fragrance A haiku in kanglish inspired by Man-Kwt flight Aa modada maregala aachida,Ninna thunta haratavoo Ticketalloo ninna chithravoo, Namma kanasu eederide Namma ooreega, Allilla kayyalle ide………lol 'Mangalorean Metal Bird' You are Heartly welcome to kuwait

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    • Ganesh Sharaf, Shimoga/Kuwait

      Thu, Jul 17 2008

      At last! the dream comes true. Thanks to all for their efforts to make this dream real.Special Thanks to Mr.Vasudeva and AI.Hopefully other carriers start soon flying to this lucrative destination.

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    • Sampath kumar, Mangalore/Dubai

      Thu, Jul 17 2008

      Too happy to see metal bird ready to fly. wishing all of you happy and safe journey.

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    • U Naveen devadiga, udupi/kuwait

      Thu, Jul 17 2008

      ANTHU INTHU FLIGHT BANTHU.congrats to airindia management our long KANASU NANASAAGI BANTHU.

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    • Walter Lobo, Kalavar, Bajpe/Boston,USA

      Thu, Jul 17 2008

      Now that Kuwait dream became a reality, we are waiting for the US Indiansto fly directly to Mnagalore with a connection via middle east. We hope AI Express would grant code sharing or through ticket booking with AI Express.

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    • THANVEER AHAMED, UDUPI/INDIA

      Thu, Jul 17 2008

      THIS IS NOT THE BRAND NEW FLIGHT ITS IS AN OLD FLIGHT WHICH IS USED TO OPERATE ON MANGALORE DUBAI ROUTE AT THE FIRST.BUT HOWEVER MANGALOREAN-KUWAITI'S DREAM COME TRUE OF A DIRECT FLIGHT TO MANGALORE. PLEASE START DIRECT FLIGHT FROM RIYADH VIA JEEDAH FROM THE FLIGHT AIR INDIA OR SAUDI AIRLINES

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