Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct, 1: Barely within two weeks from the date of the announcement of the online ticket booking for the Dubai - Mangalore the direct flight by Air India Express, the momentum for commercial activities has faced an upward boom and has started heating-up. People are now beginning to see a vast scope for development for Mangalore. Tourism, real estate prices employment opportunities, and many other related activities too will see an upward rise. It will open greater avenues for various activities and events to take place now that Mangalore is on the International mapping.
Although it is very welcome news to the city of Mangalore, this has created an adverse effect on the domestic Mumbai - Mangalore traffic. A leading airline office in Mumbai while speaking to daijiworld said that "We are facing large number of cancellations, and the normal rush for Christmas season bookings have fallen considerably"
"This trend will continue, but the airlines are now changing their planning strategy and working out attractive promotion to woo the passengers"
"Currently, only the UAE based people are privileged for this direct flight facility, however traffic from the other gulf regions remains as usual" said the airline spokesperson
'Indian' to fly Sharjah - Mangalore?
A reliable source in Mumbai has given a strong clue to daijiworld that, 'Indian' another national carrier has also initiated the process to fly Sharjah - Mangalore by early 2007.
Currently "Indian" (Indian Airlines) has the availability of aircraft and can easily fly direct because it is a national carrier, sources told to daijiworld.com
A charter Flight from Sharjah - Mangalore soon:
In another interesting development, one of the domestic airline which is very keen to fly Sharjah - Mangalore, but is not able to do so on account of the Indian aviation policy which does not permit International flights for domestic airlines. (As per the policy, a domestic airline must complete five years of operation within domestic level) has planned to charter a flight in order to promote tourism as well as take passenger traffic from UAE to Mangalore. When daijiworld contacted the concerned airline, the airline neither declined nor confirmed this news.
Air India Express to connect other Gulf courtiers:
Although Bajpe airport has got the status of a ' Custom Airport ' foreign airlines are NOT allowed to fly directly without the approval of the Indian Government. Consistent pressure is on from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Doha based Mangaloreans to start the connecting flights as soon as possible. Air India express is seriously contemplating a tie-up with other carriers inorder to connect other gulf countries until the direct flight for other gulf states get approved.
"Mangalore is a very sizable market and three flights per week may not be sufficient" said an Air India official.
Air India officials have expressed great satisfaction over the response for the initial flights. All bookings till October 28, are already made and with the onset of the winter schedule bookings, the same rush is expected
Maiden Flight - Historic day:
At long last, the dream of every Mangalorean NRI from Dubai is finally coming true with the Historic flight on the D-Day finally taking off. Air India Express will be the proud carrier to take credit for being the first international flight to land on the tarmac of the Mangalore Airport with 180 exuberant and excited passengers - the first batch of fortunate ones to travel on this historic flight.
Celebrations for this historic moment are being chalked out both in Dubai and Mangalore.
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