Daijiworld News Network

Sharjah, May 26: It was expected and being hailed as the first-ever international flight to Mangalore airport, promoted by APA Air System FZC, a UAE-based company. It was scheduled to take off in the early hours of Friday, May 26. But because of certain requirements in formalities at the Sharjah International Airport, it was rescheduled to Friday evening.

Sharjah International Airport

Still, because of the Thursday and Friday weekend in the takeoff country, formalities could not complete, the flight could not take off yet.

"We are happy that, all the signals at Mangalore airport are clear, it is just a matter of day or two to finalize the formality at Sharjah airport," said the spokesperson to AP Air to Daijiworld.com

"We never expected this hurdle earlier, as we are flying to a new international airport. We regret the inconvenience caused, but as soon as we obtain the permission here, we will take off," he said.

The people of coastal region of Karnataka and part of Kerala will heave a long sigh of relief as soon as the first flight lands at Mangalore.

What is satisfying is that hurdles at Mangalore airport are cleared as per now. As AP Air says, it could be a matter of day or two to start their mission.

Mangalore Airport sources said that the inadequacies of customs and immigration matters have been taken care of. Canara Bank would open a counter for foreign exchange, said the sources.

Daijiworld.com is in regular touch with Mangalore Airport authorities and AP Air officials and will keep its readers updated on regular basis until the flight lands at Mangalore

Also, Air India express, though regretful about the delay in its operation, promised to come back soon with a definite date, timing and fare.

As our readers may be aware, there were three different date announcements made to the press earlier for the take-off of the first-ever international passenger flight to Mangalore. 

Mangalore International Airport Mission - Complete Coverage:

• AI 'Express' Delayed - APA Air Charter Plane Set to Fly Sharjah - Mangalore
• Mangalore: New Runway Becomes Operational as Jet Air Flight from Bangalore Lands
• Mangalore: Flight Services to Dubai Likely to Start from Bajpe Airport on May 21..Read on
• Mangalore: B R Shetty Offers Compensation to KIOCL to Use Airport Terminal
• Mangalore: Civil Aviation Grants Immigration and Customs Facility to Mangalore Airport
• Mangalore: Team of Immigration Officials Inspects Facilities at Bajpe Airport
• Mangalore: Deputy CM Inspects New Runway Work at Bajpe Airport
• Night Landing Facilities Getting ready at Mangalore Airport
• 'Indian' Plan to Fly Mangalore-UAE Direct Read on 
• Will Mangalore Airport ‘Cater’ to Air India Express?
• Mangalore - Sharjah Direct Flight from May 7?

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• Dammam: Saudi Arabia NRI forum initiates 'signature campain' in support of M'lore airport
• Kuwait: NRIs Submit Memorandum in Support of Mangalore Airport Upgradation
• Saudi Arabia: Mangaloreans, North Kanarites Pitch in Support for the Airport Upgradation
• Dubai: Mangalore Airport Movement- Now the Pressure from Kasargod NRI's
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• Dubai: Karnataka NRI Forum Meets to Discuss Mangalore Airport Issue
• Mangalore: Rs 4 Four Crore Released for Mangalore Airport by State Government
• Mangalore: Airport Ready for International Status - Director M R Vasudeva
• Mangalore : Appeal to Allow International Airlines to Land at Bajpe Airport
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Related Interveiws:

• H D Deve Gowda
• S Bangarappa
• S Siddaramaiah
• M R Vasudeva - Airport Manager