Mangaloreans Break in Jubilation as Flight from Kuwait Touches Tarmac


Mangaloreans Break in Jubilation as Flight from Kuwait Touches Tarmac

Spot report by Gladson D'Almeida
Pics - Dayanand Kukkaje
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)

Photo Album Click here

Mangalore, Jul 18: Hurray!! We have done it!! Gone are the days when one had to travel to Mangalore via Mumbai, Goa and other destinations from Middle East and the Gulf countries. With Mangalore getting connected with Kuwait, Mangalore's aviation map has changed drastically for sure.

Feelings of mission completed, dream realized, were all clearly seen on the faces of 165 passengers who landed at the Mangalore tarmac directly from Kuwait for the first time. They had waited for years together for this day and when it actually transpired, they were not only elated but were in ecstasy.


It was only hours before that the historic Mangalore-Kuwait flight had taken-off, albeit the clock showed that it was yesterday, that Mangalore airport was host for another first. It was exactly at 8.40 am IST that Kuwait-Mangalore Air India Express IX 390 hit the Mangalore tarmac for the first time. As the maiden flight gorgeously moved along the tarmac, thousands of people who had gathered to witness this ever-memorable moment broke into jubilation and celebration. Incidentally, Mangalore airport director M R Vasudeva, who has been the man behind this great run of Mangalore airport, was present on the occasion along with senior officials of the airport as well as Air India Express.

Pascal Pinto and Archibald Menezes who have played a stellar role in realizing this dream of lacs of Mangaloreans working and living in Kuwait of reaching their mother land directly within  few hours, were among the first ones among those to alight from the maiden historic direct flight from Kuwait to Mangalore via Sharjah.

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    Comment on this article

    • Rajesh, Kadri

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      I had a look at the rate chart...I checked the rates for 29th August 2008. Here are the fares Sharjah - Mangalore INR. 9998.96 Kuwait - Mangalore INR. 8129.01 Thats a cool difference of INR. 1869.95. Can anyone solve this puzzle?

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    • Russell d souza, Bejai, Muscat

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      Well it is nice to have direct flights. However the sad point is we are in the same old dreams of better foreign goods. When we travel from abroad we are allowed to carry a luggage of 30 kgs but when we leave mangalore we are allowed only 20 kgs and charged royally for anything extra.

      To the concerned people kindly note these days we have better things to carry from Mangalore too hence I wish the luggage is increased to 30 kgs. Also there being no competition from other airlines AI is enjoying its good days now which will soon end if there is a better carrier coming in.

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    • Daniel, Udupi/Dubai

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      Cogratulations!!! This is the true example for the progress and growth of a city/nation, attained through the 'normal peoples' power & media, when they are united selflessly with one accord, irrespective of political challenges & uncertainities. All the best for others wishes & Airports future endeavors....

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    • shabeer kery, padubidri

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      ya.. offcourse its special moment for all Mangaloreans residing in Kuwait & Sharjha. Air indai- please focus on Dammam to mangalore soon...

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

      Sun, Jul 20 2008

      We are working in saudi arabia for the last 15 years, We are very happy to notice that Air India Express , operating its direct flights from Dubai, Abudhabi, Muscat, sharjah, Kuwait and from Bahrain. We travelled 2,to 3 times from saudi to Mangalore via Bahrain. Really, it is fantastic journey to reach Mangalore directly instead of going to Bombay and connnecting to Mangalore. But still our dreams pending to get direct flight from Dammmm to Mangalore, instead of go and take our seat from Bahrain.

      May I request the concerned authorities will look in to this matter seriously........?....when.....? I hope very soon Air India Express will operate its fleet from Dammam..........thanks

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    • SHAIKH, PUTHIGE

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      PEOPLE OF COASTAL KARNATAKA EAGERLY WAITING FOR DAMMAM-RIYADH -JEDDAH-MANGALORE DIRECT FLIGHT

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    • Saleem, Manglore-Saudi

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Mr. Khan Banglore, your question is correct....defenetly the flight will not land in Dammam with a Ladies Picture.............

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    • JAYANT, SURATKAL/RIYADH

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Spread the news to all the people around Riyadh province who wish to fly directly to Mangalore (more than 50,000) to join the signature campaign organized by Karawali Welfare Association, Riyadh.

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    • Peter Sequeira, Udupi (kodavoor) / Kuwait

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      JeromeM.Sequeira,Barkur /Johannesburg). don't comment Manglorens and Malabaris, this flight will benifit both of them,Congratulations to all Kuwait based Mangaloreans and to all those who are responsible to make this happen

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    • ronald, urva,mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Mr.Jerome i think u have lost it.why dont u take a ship route or try walking through the desert.

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    • SHAIKH, PUTHIGE-MOODBIDRI

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      VERY SOON FROM JEDDAH -MANGALORE ??????

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    • Yamini D'sa, Mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      Jerome M.Sequeira,(Barkur /Johannesburg). Why are you being biased like Bal Thackeray?

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    • Elvira Krishnan, Falnir, Mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      We are seniors and are very very thrilled that the first international flight Air India Express has touched our mothertown. We congratulate all involved in making this a great success and pray that more international flights land at Bajpe, as our children are also in far off lands around the globe. It will also help us seniors to fly over to see our families across the globe. Congratulations and God bless all those who have strived hard, some very hard to make this dream come true.

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    • suhi, mangalore

      Sat, Jul 19 2008

      So,wat's next...is'nt it mangalore-dammam...!!

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    • Jerome M.Sequeira, Barkur /Johannesburg

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      I hope this flight is not meant for "Malayees". They will ruin the travel pleasure.

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    • peter lewis, kalmady/k s a

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Possible Mr. khan. In the year 8002.

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    • Cyril menezes , bantwal/kuwait

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      It's really a GREAT JUBILATION TO ALL MANGALOREANS IN KUWAIT. LOOKING AT ALMOST 90% OF FAMILIAR FACES ON THE FIRST FLIGHT, I FELT NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING OF OUR OWN! THANKS TO GOD AND THANKS TO ALL BEHIND THIS UNIQUE PROJECT.

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    • Khan, Bangalore

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Can someone clarify this for me. Will the Air India express ever land in Saudi Arabia with a ladies picture painted on its tail??

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    • Vasudeva Balakrishna Aithal, Kulai,Mangaluru/Mangaf,Kuwait

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Kudos,Bhesh Bhesh to all who involved and strived hard to this historic happening. Ellarigoo sahasra,sahasra Aathmiya Dhanyavaadagalu. Keep it up.

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    • Ronald D F D'Souza, Bondel/Mangalore/Bahrain

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Congratulations to all persons involved to make the Air India Express flight from Kuwait to Mangalore., and special thanks to Mr.Rajesh Sequeira of NRI forum from Dubai., since i know how he was involed in Bahrai-Doha-Mangalore flight.Keep it up Daijiworld for the nice photograps and update coverage. Ronald - Bahrain

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    • jayashetty, udupi -kuwait

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Thanks to every one who involved to connect kuwait -mangalore direct flight,since long time mangaloreans dream comes true.Thanks to daijiworld.com which giving us updated news freqently.We hope saturday also includes soon in weekly schedule mangalore to kuwait. Thank you.

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    • Charles M. Noronha, Riyadh / Shirva

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      Congratulations to all Kuwait based Mangaloreans and to all those who are responsible to make this happen. Now it is the time to shift the focus towards Riyadh-Mangalore Direct Flight, which too is long due.

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    • khaleel ibrahim, addoor/al jubail

      Fri, Jul 18 2008

      next will be from Dammam Mangalore??

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