Our Bureau-Business Line
As a precursor to the formal commissioning of the second runway at Mangalore airport, three aircraft landed at the 2,450-metre-long new runway on Wednesday. The new runway is yet to be commissioned formally.
Bangalore-Mangalore-Bangalore flight of Jet Airways landed at the new runway at 10.05 a.m. on Wednesday. Alliance Air and Kingfisher Airlines flights from Mumbai also landed at the new runway later in the day.
Mr M.R. Vasudeva, Airport Director, told Business Line that the new runway at the airport was put into use on Wednesday under the visual flight rule (VFR).
Handle bigger aircraft
Built at a cost of Rs 45 crore, the new concrete runway can handle bigger aircraft such as Airbus 320.
Since an air traffic control tower (ATC) is yet to be built near the new runway, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has introduced a mobile ATC tower near the new runway. The tower was earlier used in Bhuj to provide services to aircraft involved in the relief operations after the earthquake in that region. The mobile ATC tower will provide services till a new tower is built near the second runway.
Meanwhile, sources in the airport said that the Commissioning Committee of the AAI would visit the airport by the end of this month.
NRI FORUM'S PLEA
The Karnataka NRI Forum has urged Air India Express to schedule flight timings that are convenient for people in the region. Air India Express is planning to operate a flight to Dubai from Mangalore.
In a letter to Air India Express -- copies of which were released to the press here on Thursday -- the Forum requested the airliner to schedule the flight timing from Mangalore either between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. or between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. These timings will be convenient for passengers from neighbouring places.
Stating that monsoon is round the corner, it requested the airliner to operate its inaugural flight on May 28. The letter said that customs and immigration facilities would be available at the airport from May 21.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Mangalore-Mangalore airport development may give wing to private players
A. J. Vinayak -Business Line
Besides working on a second runway, the AAI has earmarked land at the Mangalore airport for a business park, a hotel and convention centre and cold storages.
THE EXPANSION plans of PSUs and IT companies, as well as the rapid growth of Mangalore city, will speed up the commercial development of the Mangalore airport.
Opportunities are likely to soar for private players in the commercial development of Mangalore airport — one of the important non-metro facilities.
Such factors as the proposed investment by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd in the Mangalore SEZ (the Special Economic Zone is close to the airport) of over Rs 45,000 crore, the plans of some information technology (IT) companies to set up and/or expand their units in Mangalore, and the proposed international flight operations from Mangalore are all likely to lead to the commercial development of Mangalore airport, and open up opportunities for private players.
The airport — which is strategically positioned vis-à-vis other domestic facilities — can be an excellent hub for domestic, international and cargo traffic. It has been attracting quite a bit of domestic traffic the past few years. The passenger movement at the airport stood at 2.84 lakh people in 2005-06 against 2.68 lakh in 2004-05, registering a growth of 6 per cent.
RISING PASSENGER TRAFFIC
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) expects to handle 3.55 lakh passengers by 2009-10 and 4.31 lakh passengers by 2013-14. According to AAI, the number of aircraft movements is likely to be increased to 5,154 during 2009-10 and 6,265 in 2013-14, from 3,650 in 2005-06.
Nearly 30 per cent of the traffic from the Mangalore airport is bound for international destinations. Most passengers from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, and from northern Kerala prefer this airport. At present, passengers bound for West Asia from these regions have to fly via Mumbai.
To meet the emerging demands of both domestic and international traffic, the AAI has initiated various measures, including the construction of a second runway. This runway, which can handle bigger aircraft is 2,450 metre long and 45 metre wide, and lies south-east to the existing runway.
NEW TERMINAL
Adjacent to the new runway an integrated passenger terminal is proposed and would its commercial development should benefit the private sector. The airport is 22 km away from Mangalore. The proposed second terminal near the new runway will bring it closer by 4 km, and the land proposed for commercial development is strategically located along the main approach road of the new runway.
Sources in AAI told Business Line that private players need to look at various activities related to the commercial development of land at the Mangalore airport. Of the 345 acres at the airport, the AAI has earmarked 20.85 acres for commercial development. Around six acres are available for the development of a business park in the airport premises.
AAI sources said that global logistics companies, trade and industry groups and pharmaceutical companies could look at occupying plots in the business park.
Another area is the development of hotel and convention centre. Now a passenger has to travel to Mangalore city, if he/she wants to stay in a good hotel. There is no convention centre near the airport for the business traveller. Considering this, the AAI has earmarked 7.38 acres for the development of a hotel and a convention centre.
At a time when IT companies are looking at Tier-II cities such as Mangalore for investments, a hotel and a convention centre near the airport will be of immense help to this section of travellers.
EXPORT OF PERISHABLES
Export of perishables such as jasmine and vegetables to West Asia is likely to get a boost once international flights start to operate from the Mangalore airport.
Floriculture is growing in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, and many small farmers have taken up cultivation of jasmine. Apart from places like Mumbai, jasmine is in good demand in West Asia.
To provide an opportunity for the exporters of perishable goods, the AAI has earmarked one acre for the development of cold storages.
Apart from this, provision has also been made for the construction of a petrol pump on 1.38 acres. Sources said that tenders would be called soon for the commercial development of the airport.
The rapid development of Mangalore city is likely to give a boost to the commercial development of the airport.
Besides working on a second runway, the AAI has earmarked land at the Mangalore airport for a business park, a hotel and convention centre and cold storages.
THE EXPANSION plans of PSUs and IT companies, as well as the rapid growth of Mangalore city, will speed up the commercial development of the Mangalore airport.
Opportunities are likely to soar for private players in the commercial development of Mangalore airport — one of the important non-metro facilities.
Such factors as the proposed investment by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd in the Mangalore SEZ (the Special Economic Zone is close to the airport) of over Rs 45,000 crore, the plans of some information technology (IT) companies to set up and/or expand their units in Mangalore, and the proposed international flight operations from Mangalore are all likely to lead to the commercial development of Mangalore airport, and open up opportunities for private players.
The airport — which is strategically positioned vis-à-vis other domestic facilities — can be an excellent hub for domestic, international and cargo traffic. It has been attracting quite a bit of domestic traffic the past few years. The passenger movement at the airport stood at 2.84 lakh people in 2005-06 against 2.68 lakh in 2004-05, registering a growth of 6 per cent.
RISING PASSENGER TRAFFIC
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) expects to handle 3.55 lakh passengers by 2009-10 and 4.31 lakh passengers by 2013-14. According to AAI, the number of aircraft movements is likely to be increased to 5,154 during 2009-10 and 6,265 in 2013-14, from 3,650 in 2005-06.
Nearly 30 per cent of the traffic from the Mangalore airport is bound for international destinations. Most passengers from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, and from northern Kerala prefer this airport. At present, passengers bound for West Asia from these regions have to fly via Mumbai.
To meet the emerging demands of both domestic and international traffic, the AAI has initiated various measures, including the construction of a second runway. This runway, which can handle bigger aircraft is 2,450 metre long and 45 metre wide, and lies south-east to the existing runway.
NEW TERMINAL
Adjacent to the new runway an integrated passenger terminal is proposed and would its commercial development should benefit the private sector. The airport is 22 km away from Mangalore. The proposed second terminal near the new runway will bring it closer by 4 km, and the land proposed for commercial development is strategically located along the main approach road of the new runway.
Sources in AAI told Business Line that private players need to look at various activities related to the commercial development of land at the Mangalore airport. Of the 345 acres at the airport, the AAI has earmarked 20.85 acres for commercial development. Around six acres are available for the development of a business park in the airport premises.
AAI sources said that global logistics companies, trade and industry groups and pharmaceutical companies could look at occupying plots in the business park.
Another area is the development of hotel and convention centre. Now a passenger has to travel to Mangalore city, if he/she wants to stay in a good hotel. There is no convention centre near the airport for the business traveller. Considering this, the AAI has earmarked 7.38 acres for the development of a hotel and a convention centre.
At a time when IT companies are looking at Tier-II cities such as Mangalore for investments, a hotel and a convention centre near the airport will be of immense help to this section of travellers.
EXPORT OF PERISHABLES
Export of perishables such as jasmine and vegetables to West Asia is likely to get a boost once international flights start to operate from the Mangalore airport.
Floriculture is growing in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, and many small farmers have taken up cultivation of jasmine. Apart from places like Mumbai, jasmine is in good demand in West Asia.
To provide an opportunity for the exporters of perishable goods, the AAI has earmarked one acre for the development of cold storages.
Apart from this, provision has also been made for the construction of a petrol pump on 1.38 acres. Sources said that tenders would be called soon for the commercial development of the airport.
The rapid development of Mangalore city is likely to give a boost to the commercial development of the airport.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Mangalore:Union Government Declares Bajpe a Customs Airport
Raviprasad Kamila for The Hindu Daily
MANGALORE, May 3: The 54-year-old Bajpe Airport in Mangalore has received a boost with the Union Government declaring it a customs airport on May 3. This makes it the second customs airport in the State, after Bangalore.
It will now be able to handle operation of flights to international destinations.Air India Express, Air India's low-cost airline, has proposed to start a Mangalore-Dubai service from the airport.
As the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has stepped up efforts to provide infrastructure for customs and immigrations counters, it will be able to allow Air India Express operate its first flight on May 21.
On Thursday, AAI gave final touches to the six counters for immigration clearance. It has set up a room for the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Immigration), a server room, and a deportee room for immigration officials. National Informatics Centre has supplied ten computers to the AAI for immigration clearance.
AAI has taken up work on fixing lights to provide night-landing facilities on the new runway, the second one at the airport. The 2,450-metre long and 46-metre wide concrete runway will be ready for commissioning soon, sources in the AAI told The Hindu .
AAI has kept a mobile tower ready for Air Traffic Control.
Air India Express' first flight from Dubai will land at Bajpe Airport at 8.20 p.m. and leave for Dubai at 9.20 p.m. on May 21.
On the Centre's notification, A. Srinivasa Rao, president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) told The Hindu that it was a wonderful move.
"We expect heavy rush of non-resident Indian passengers at the airport shortly. It is an added advantage to exports.''
Hand over land immediately for airport lounge'
B. Janardhana Poojary, who is a member of a parliamentary committee on civil aviation, has appealed to the State Government to immediately hand over the land for the new arrival lounge for the Mangalore Airport.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Poojary on Thursday welcomed the customs airport status accorded to Mangalore Airport. He said this was cleared in the meeting of the committee in Delhi last week where the members observed that the State Government was dillydallying on acquiring the required land.
He thanked the Civil Aviation Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry for clearing the customs facility for the airport
MANGALORE, May 3: The 54-year-old Bajpe Airport in Mangalore has received a boost with the Union Government declaring it a customs airport on May 3. This makes it the second customs airport in the State, after Bangalore.
It will now be able to handle operation of flights to international destinations.Air India Express, Air India's low-cost airline, has proposed to start a Mangalore-Dubai service from the airport.
As the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has stepped up efforts to provide infrastructure for customs and immigrations counters, it will be able to allow Air India Express operate its first flight on May 21.
On Thursday, AAI gave final touches to the six counters for immigration clearance. It has set up a room for the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Immigration), a server room, and a deportee room for immigration officials. National Informatics Centre has supplied ten computers to the AAI for immigration clearance.
AAI has taken up work on fixing lights to provide night-landing facilities on the new runway, the second one at the airport. The 2,450-metre long and 46-metre wide concrete runway will be ready for commissioning soon, sources in the AAI told The Hindu .
AAI has kept a mobile tower ready for Air Traffic Control.
Air India Express' first flight from Dubai will land at Bajpe Airport at 8.20 p.m. and leave for Dubai at 9.20 p.m. on May 21.
On the Centre's notification, A. Srinivasa Rao, president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) told The Hindu that it was a wonderful move.
"We expect heavy rush of non-resident Indian passengers at the airport shortly. It is an added advantage to exports.''
Hand over land immediately for airport lounge'
B. Janardhana Poojary, who is a member of a parliamentary committee on civil aviation, has appealed to the State Government to immediately hand over the land for the new arrival lounge for the Mangalore Airport.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Poojary on Thursday welcomed the customs airport status accorded to Mangalore Airport. He said this was cleared in the meeting of the committee in Delhi last week where the members observed that the State Government was dillydallying on acquiring the required land.
He thanked the Civil Aviation Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry for clearing the customs facility for the airport
Monday, May 01, 2006
Mangalore:Mangalore airport: KCCI to push for international status
Our Bureau -Businessline
THE Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has initiated steps to seek international status to the Mangalore Airport.
A KCCI release here on Saturday said that a recent meeting of Mangalore International Airport Sub-Committee of KCCI, comprising officials and members from trade and industry, discussed various issues regarding this matter.
Participating in the meeting, the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, Mr Aravind Srivastav, said the State Government has to submit a proposal to the Union Government on setting up an international airport in Mangalore. Before that, the State Government should receive requests from airport users in this regard.
It should also receive consent letters from the airliners on operating their aircraft from Mangalore. Only then, can the State Government submit a proposal to the Union Government.
Based on this, the Customs Department can consider giving permission for an international airport in Mangalore. Those concerned should work together to achieve this, said Mr Srivastav.
Construction of a second runway at Mangalore airport is on, and land acquisition and rehabilitation of displaced families will be completed within six months. This runway will help in operating international flights from Mangalore, he said.
The Airport Director, Mr M.R. Vasudeva, said work on runway construction is likely to be over by the end of this year.
Mr T. Subbayya Shetty, Chairman of KCCI's Mangalore International Airport Sub-Committee, spoke on the facilities needed at the airport for operating international flights.
Mr P. Karthikeyan, Commissioner of Customs, Mangalore, highlighted the role of Customs in establishing an international airport in the region.
The KCCI President, Mr A. Srinivasa Rao, presided over the meeting.
THE Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has initiated steps to seek international status to the Mangalore Airport.
A KCCI release here on Saturday said that a recent meeting of Mangalore International Airport Sub-Committee of KCCI, comprising officials and members from trade and industry, discussed various issues regarding this matter.
Participating in the meeting, the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, Mr Aravind Srivastav, said the State Government has to submit a proposal to the Union Government on setting up an international airport in Mangalore. Before that, the State Government should receive requests from airport users in this regard.
It should also receive consent letters from the airliners on operating their aircraft from Mangalore. Only then, can the State Government submit a proposal to the Union Government.
Based on this, the Customs Department can consider giving permission for an international airport in Mangalore. Those concerned should work together to achieve this, said Mr Srivastav.
Construction of a second runway at Mangalore airport is on, and land acquisition and rehabilitation of displaced families will be completed within six months. This runway will help in operating international flights from Mangalore, he said.
The Airport Director, Mr M.R. Vasudeva, said work on runway construction is likely to be over by the end of this year.
Mr T. Subbayya Shetty, Chairman of KCCI's Mangalore International Airport Sub-Committee, spoke on the facilities needed at the airport for operating international flights.
Mr P. Karthikeyan, Commissioner of Customs, Mangalore, highlighted the role of Customs in establishing an international airport in the region.
The KCCI President, Mr A. Srinivasa Rao, presided over the meeting.
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