Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, May 14: The modern, newly built integrated terminal of Mangalore International Airport, which is designed to provide convenience and comfort for the flights as well as the passengers, is awaiting its inaugural slated for Saturday May 15.
At present, there is provision to park five aircrafts in this terminal at a time. Once the terminal becomes fully operational, it will be able to accommodate eight aircrafts. This terminal is coming in the form of a gift to the city airport on the completion of four years of opening up its doors for international flights.
Union minister for civil aviation, Praful Patel, will officially inaugurate the terminal in the presence of state Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, union law and justice minister, M Veerappa Moily, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes, minister Krishna J Palemar, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, city mayor, Rajani Dugganna and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, R V Deshpande.
At present, 26 flights to and from different destinations within the country, are operated through this airport. 52 international flights to destinations in the Gulf region are being operated from here every week. Even though no direct cargo flights are operated from here at present, the cargo booked from here is routed through Bangalore. If direct international cargo services are offered from here, jasmine flower cultivation and marketting are sure to get a boost.
This new, fully air-conditioned terminal can accommodate 500 passengers at a time in its arrival and department lounges. It is equipped with 28 check in counters and customs and immigration checks, air-conditioned aerobridge, inline baggage X-ray system, seven escalators, seven lifts, a VIP lounge, parking facility for 300 cars, a restaurant etc.
Once the services are completely shifted to the new terminal, Airports Authority of India plans to use the old airport entirely for cargo services.