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.

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