AI Express: Abu Dhabi- Muscat-Mangalore Flight from Jan 07
Daijiworld News Network
Dubai, Nov 18: The handling of international flights at Mangalore airport is slowly benefiting other Gulf countries too, besides the UAE.
It is expected that, by 2007, Kuwait, Riyadh, Dhahran, Doha, Bahrain and Muscat will be linked direct to Mangalore, since a sizeable number of Mangaloreans as well as northern Keralites are currently residing at these places.
Now here is a report that would certainly bring cheer to many Mangalore-bound people in Abu Dhabi and Muscat. Air India Express, the airline that landed the very first International flight at Mangalore, has assured that upon arrival of the next new fleet of aircraft in January 2007, it will fly Abu Dhabi-Muscat-Mangalore at least three times a week.
Captain P P Singh, chief Operating Officer of Air India Charters Ltd, in a letter to Rajesh Sequeira, convener of the Karnataka NRI Forum in the UAE, has assured that "Our future plans for Mangalore include increasing flights from Dubai to Mangalore to six flights a week and also to link Abu Dhabi and Muscat to Mangalore. This would be possible probably from January 2007 onwards when we get delivery of the additional aircraft."
He was responding to a letter from Rajesh to civil aviation minister Praful Patel, seeking more flights between Dubai and Mangalore and linking of Mangalore to other Gulf destinations.
It can be recalled that aviation minister Praful Patel had assured daijiworld.com on October 3, 2006 that daily flights from Dubai to Mangalore would be introduced soon. He was obviously impressed with the response of the NRIs to the first flight to Mangalore. He was himself present at Bajpe to welcome the maiden-flight passengers from Dubai to Mangalore on October 3.
Capt P p Singh was extremely happy the way the baggage handling system had improved over the last couple of weeks. A report on daijiworld.com has created great awareness and the passengers are now carrying limited baggage to their destination.
"We have been advised by our Mangalore manager that the flight has now stabilized and there are hardly any complaints in this regard," said Capt P P Sing in his letter.
It has been encouraging news that several NRI forums in the Gulf countries like Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia are taking the initiative to press for direct flight operations from their respective bases to Mangalore.
The work on the new terminal for international passengers at the Bajpe Airport is expected to be completed by end-April 2007, after which the congestion and delay in clearing passenger and baggage would be eased. At the same time, many addititonal flights to other domestic and international points are expected to be introduced.
In Muscat, Dr Satish Nambiar, Francis Aranha, Shaukat Assadi and others have already taken the initiative for Muscat-Mangalore direct flights, by submitting a memorandum to Oman Air and Indian Airlines and are determined to follow it up.
Since Mangalore is still a 'Custom Airport', no foreign airlines are allowed to land as of now. The civil aviation ministry has to clear the legal process for any foreign airlines to land in Mangalore.
Air India Express and Indian Airlines being national carriers of India already have permission to land from International points.
Daijiworld.com, which played a key role in bringing about awareness for getting international flights to Mangalore, will continue its energetic and authentic role as media, until all Gulf destinations are connected to Mangalore.
"Though the UAE is privileged to get the first flight to Mangalore, it will be unfair if we keep quiet and complacent only with this sole achievement. There are several thousands of Mangalore-bound people in other Gulf countries who are keenly waiting to fly to Mangalore direct. I will be travelling across the Gulf destinations to meet various NRI organizations and to pledge support and assistance," said Rajesh Sequiera to daijiworld.com
As usual, Daijiworld.com will keep you updated on further developments in the coming days.
Muscat - Mangalore Follow-up:
Mangalore International Airport - Complete Coverage: