Saturday, July 24, 2010

Mangalore: Hoax Call about Fire on AI Flight Causes Panic

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)
Mangalore, Jul 24: Close to midnight on Saturday July 24, television channels like CNN-IBN and Times Now broke the news that Air India flight IX 811 at Mangalore airport had caught fire just before take off.
Immediately Daijiworld office was flooded with calls from anxious readers from every nook and corner. However, on investigation we have found that the reports were false and the 'call' to the duty manager at the airport regarding the fire was a hoax. Nevertheless, there was indeed a technical snag in the plane which caused a short delay before take off, but it was quickly sorted out and the flight took off from Mangalore as well as landed in Dubai safely.
It had been reported by the TV channels that 134 passengers were on board and that the tail of the plane had caught fire. They even stated that fire engines had been called to action whereas in reality, no such thing had taken place at all!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Mangalore: Peacock Hits Landing Jet Aircraft - Flight Delayed


Mangalore: Peacock Hits Landing Jet Aircraft - Flight Delayed Daijiworld Medi Network - RS / FL
Mangalore, July 21: A Jet Airways aircraft to Mumbai was delayed for nearly three hours after a peacock hit the aircraft while landing at the Mangalore Airport.
`A peacock hit the aircraft while landing and there is no casualties to any of the passengers' said officials of Jet Airways in a statement. `The flight was delayed for undertaking technical errors in the equipments of the aircraft and the flight finally took off at 6.30 pm' Jet Airways officials informed. The aircraft was scheduled to leave Mangalore airport today at 2.40 pm .
The sources said that the flight was on the way from Mumbai to Mangalore with 75 passengers on board. The peacock's sudden entry in to the runway at the time of landing at about 2.10 pm created the problem resulting in the delayed departure of the flight. According to officials the flight was delayed only to rectify the technical errors caused by the bird hit. The plane was cleared for flight after conducting a technical survey.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Mangalore : Confidence Building Top Priority of M R Vasudeva

Mangalore : Confidence Building Top Priority of M R Vasudeva
Daijiworld Media Network (FR)
Mangalore, Jul 15: M R Vasudeva assumed charge as the Airport Director of Mangalore Airport on July 14, 2010. Vasudeva has been transferred back to Mangalore from Coimbotore recently as the Airport Director in the level of General Manager.
When daijiworld contacted him to know his priorities on assuming charge at this crucial juncture, he stated that his foremost priority would be to undertake confidence building measures. “The public are unduly worried and I would like to reinforce our commitment to provide all safety and security measures in the airport to make it foolproof as much as possible. We will also ensure that we meet international civil aviation standards with the safety of passengers utmost in mind”, emphasized.
He denied the accusation that Mangalore being a table-top airport the runway is risky for landing. “The minds of the people are attuned to the oft repeated statements that table-top runways are hazardous, which is wrong. When a runway is made, it is made with a specific dimension whether it is on a hill top or on a plain ground and aircraft has to land there within that specific dimension. The pilot has to land the plane in that particular strip and all pilots are trained for that”, he asserted.
He also assured that airport would take necessary safety measures to get rid of all undue worries in public mind. He said sand arresters will be provided at the end of the runway as part of the safety measure. Vasudeva pointed out that there has been an increase in the number of passengers flying from Mangalore, as compared to last year. The number of passengers who travelled from Mangalore was 56,000 in June 2009, where as by June 2010 it rose to 63,000, which signifies that there has been an increase in the passengers who fly.
Without giving a specific date Vasudeva said that the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) will be thrown open to passenger traffic within the next 8 to 10 days. He will also have to oversee the all important task of extending the runway from the present 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet, to include a larger spillover area as part of the safety measure. The decision to extend the runway was taken by the Civil Aviation Ministry after the Air India Express crash that killed 158 lives in May this year.
With the much approachable and people-savvy Vasudeva as the Airport Director there is every possibility that the Mangalore International Airport will be able to win back the confidence of the people in the days to come.

Monday, July 12, 2010

M R Vasudeva Re-appointed Mangalore Airport Chief ?

Mangalore: It's Official - M R Vasudeva to Assume Charge on Jul 14
Mangalore, Jul 12: Airport Authority of India has been once again appointed M R Vasudeva as the Airport Director of the Mangalore Airport and he will assume charge on Wednesday July 14, 2010. Mr Vasudeva confirmed to daijiworld that he has been transferred back to Mangalore from Coimbatore as Airport Director in the level of a General Manager. Vasudeva had served as the Airport Director of Mangalore from April 2002 to March 2009 before he was transferred on promotion to Coimbotore last March. So in a way it is home coming for Vasudeva, who hails from Udupi and who has been instrumental in giving a state-of-the art runway to Mangalore Airport.
It may be recalled that M R Vasudeva was instrumental in developing the Bajpe airport into an International Airport that resulted in landing international flights in Mangalore airport during his tenure. He played a key role in developing the state-of-the art new concrete runway and the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB), which is all set for opening for passenger traffic any time now. M R Vasudeva had evinced keen personal interest in ensuring the completion of the NITB, which of course got delayed after his transfer.
Knowing his contributions to the Mangalore Airport as Director, efforts were made by many especially the NRI forums to retain him in Mangalore to oversee the completion of the new terminal. Though he was given extension finally he was relieved when the efforts to retain him did not fructify.
But now he is back at a crucial time, nearly one and half month after the crash of Air India Express flight from Dubai on May 22, 2010 and also just at a time when the new terminal is going to be opened for passenger traffic, the day which many Mangaloreans have been looking forward to, for a long time now. There is still ambiguity about the NITB opening for passenger traffic which is getting postponed and one can expect Vasudeva to put an end to this uncertainty once he assumes charge.
So, this time around, Vasudeva has the additional responsibility of infusing courage and confidence among the staff, the airlines and the passengers who are still in a state of shock after the air crash tragedy. Apart from that he has to ensure continuance of the work he has begun and also undertake other safety measures.
Earlier News:
M R Vasudeva Re-appointed Mangalore Airport Chief ?
Mangalore, Jul 11 (DHNS): Coimbatore Airport Director M R Vasudeva, who was instrumental in developing the state-of-the art new concrete runway and the Rs 260 crore project that includes the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) has been re-appointed the Airport Director for Mangalore Airport.
Sources told Deccan Herald that Vasudeva has been re-appointed the Mangalore Airport Director with immediate effect and he is likely to take charge on Wednesday.
“The present airport director Peter Abraham too will continue as the airport director for some time, but Vasudev will be heading the operations,” it is reliably learnt.
It may be recalled that right from acquiring land for the second runway to construction of NITB and launching of direct flights to West Asia and many more services, Vasudeva played an instrumental role.