Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 30: As far as the handling of passengers is concerned, Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) stands second in the state behind Bengaluru. Now, Belagavi airport has been competing with Mangaluru to snatch away the second spot. The figures for the airport maintenance make it clear that Belagavi is growing fast. The Airports Authority of India has been uploading this information on their Twitter handle every month.

As per this figure, Bengaluru airport was used by 6,52,582 passengers in August this year with 7,556 flights having been operated. Mangaluru airport handled 19,201 passengers with 282 flights. Belagavi airport handled 17,914 passengers spread over 418 flights. Even though Mangaluru ranks ahead as far as the number of passengers is concerned, Belagavi handled more flights.

After the lockdown ceased, flights began to be operated from May 25. Since then, Mangaluru airport handled 726 flights and 42,896 passengers while 41,609 passengers used Belagavi airport through 1,301 flights. In the coming days, if international flights begin to be operated, it may cement the second spot. Additional flights recently added from Mangluru to Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad etc will help Mangaluru to face the stiff challenge posed by Belagavi airport.

Mangaluru, which was placed comfortably till recently, is now struggling to stay at the second spot because of the fact that the Central government brought Belagavi under its 'Udaan' scheme. As the scheme relates to regional flight connectivity, it is more handy for the people. As Belagavi is near to the Pune airport, people and businessmen living near Maharashtra border are able to reap the benefit of this scheme. Defence officers and staff also frequently use this airport.

Director of Mangaluru airport V V Rao is of the confidence that in the report pertaining September, the Mangaluru airport will be able to improve its gap and emerge clearly as the second airport in the state by a good margin.