Daijiworld News Network Mangalore - Special correspondent
Mangalore, Feb 28: This may be food for thought to many Mangalorean as the Bajpe Airport, which awaits an international status, faces another obstacle in ‘catering’ to the needs of Air India Express.
Preparations are brisk for the landing/taking off of first ever flight to outside India. There are obstacles and also restrictions, but Mangaloreans and even authorities are ready to sacrifice and are extremely cooperative. This clearly indicates that the goal set before Mangaloreans is firm- an International status to the Mangalore airport.
Last month Air India Express six-member team had inspected and given a green signal for landing B 737 - 800 airbus at Bajpe airport on May 7, 2006. But according to official sources, Air India Express is extremely unhappy about the infrastructure capacity of Mangalore, as there is no competent food supplier for flight.
Currently, a leading five-star hotel in Mangalore has expressed willingness to provide food, but at the cost of a huge budget, which may not be acceptable to 'budget' airline -Air India Express. After learning the news from Mangalore Airport official who has requested anonymity, Daijiworld correspondent contacted Air India Express official in Mumbai to confirm the news.
"Yes we are concerned with this facility at Mangalore Airport. Due to this problem direct flight from Mangalore to gulf could remain a dream for some time. However, we are planning to take off the flight from Thiruvananthapuram via Mangalore to Dubai airport," said an Air India official.
Initially, Thiruvananthapuram airport faced the similar problem, but later overcame due to support from general public and other concerned authority.
"Earlier it was decided that the flight will take off from Sharjah to Mangalore, but now have decided to fly from Dubai. A brand new aircraft is expected during the first week of May, and this new air craft will be allotted to the Mangalore sector. The flight will operate four times in a week and its time schedule will be announced in March," the officer revealed.
Prime Minister to Mangalore
Prime minister Manmohan Singh is expected to arrive at Mangalore during March for laying the foundation stone for the ONGC project. The NRI Forum is however trying to coordinate his visit so that he also inaugurates the new runway at Mangalore airport.
New Conveyer belt for Mangalore Airport
In a positive development the Central Government has granted Rs 4.75 crore for building a new and comfortable conveyer belt at the arrival point. The Bajpe Airport Director M R Vasudeva informed this to Daijiworld.
"The work of the new conveyer belt will complete by December 2006, until which the same old belt will be used even for the international passengers," said the officer.
New Terminal
The work of the new terminal building will start by 2006 and is expected to complete within 18-24 months. The new terminal will provide enough space for all the airline, transit passengers and also immigration and customs authorities. The new terminal will change the look of the Mangalore Airport
Customs and Immigration
In a recent development, the Customs Authority, which is currently handling the New Mangalore Port operation, has pledged full support and cooperation towards the development of Mangalore Airport.
Recently at a press meet the customs official revealed that it would not demand for any additional facilities at Mangalore airport to fulfill the duties during arrival and departure of International passengers for the time being.
Neighboring Keralites delighted
Yet another interesting fact is that the news of the first flight announced on May 7 got tremendous media attention in Kerala than from the local Mangalore newspapers and TV channels. Leading TV channels have repeatedly telecast this news.
People from Kasargod, Kannur and other places were delighted to learn the good news. For them Mangalore is the nearest airport to travel and move their cargo to Middle East countries.
Pressure from NRIs
With the progress achieved so far, the pressure laid by the NRIs will create an environs where quick solving of the food problem will be inevitable.
Recently B R Shetty has assured more investment in Mangalore by the NRI community towards the growth of Mangalore.
The release of the ONGC project, the announcement of IT park in Mangalore, initiative from several multinational IT companies to shift their base to Mangalore from Bangalore, Nagarjuna thermal power plant project and many other sizable projects are sure to place Mangalore prominently on the world map.
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