Mangalore: KIOCL Hands Over its Hangar at Bajpe Airport to AAI

Raviprasad Kamila / The Hindu
AAI is awaiting the Customs authority’s decision to declare the airport fit for handling cargo
Good potential for export of perishable and non-perishable goods from Mangalore region
AAI to use the hangar exclusively for its cargo operations AAI to use it exclusively for cargo operations
Mangalore, Jul 31: The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) has handed over its hangar at the Mangalore (Bajpe) airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), according to sources in Bajpe airport.
The company was using the hangar for stationing its helicopter that has been shifted now. Sources said that the Airports Authority of India would use the hangar structure exclusively for handling cargo operations.
Till recently there was no suitable place in the airport for handling cargo.
At present the customs authorities have permitted the handling of baggage at the airport but have not declared the airport fully fit for handling cargo.
Airports Authority of India has reserved the hangar for handling cargo but is awaiting the customs authority’s decision to declare the airport fit for handling cargo, sources said.
According to sources, a requisition from exporters and importers will enable Airports Authority of India to provide the facilities required by the exporters and importers.
The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) might convene a meeting of exporters and importers to consider their requirements at the airport for handling cargo. The KCCI has a greater role to play to convince the customs authorities on the need to declare the airport fit for cargo operation considering potential for export of perishable and non-perishable goods from the Mangalore region.
There is also scope for the air transportation of cargo in the domestic sector.
In the perishable commodity segment there is immense potential for the export of "Mangalore jasmine'' and "Shankarapura jasmine'' to West Asia.
The Mangalore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) and Information Technology Park that are coming up in Mangalore would open up the potential for exports and imports through air route, sources said.

Mangalore: SP Dayananda Inaugurates Gym at Airport Housing Complex

Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (MB) - Pic Geekay
Mangalore, Jul 27: Any institution or organization must provide suitable basic facilities like housing and children's education to its employees. In this direction, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had done a commendable job in providing its staff with residential quarters, a gymnasium etc., said DK's superintendent of police B Dayananda on Wednesday.
He was speaking after inaugurating the new gymnasium set up in the new residential colony of the AAI at Bajpe.
He also hoped that all employees of the AAI would be provided with housing very soon.
Airport director M R Vasudeva detailed the facilities provided like housing, computer and the Internet.

New Delhi :Aviation Minister Briefs Rajya Sabha on Progress of Mangalore Airport

Ministry of Civil Aviation - Press Release
New Delhi July 25:The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is working to upgrade the Mangalore Airport in Karnataka. This information was given to the Parliament by Shri Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation in the Rajya Sabha today.
A new runway of dimension 2450 metre x 45 metre for operation of AB-310-300 class of aircrafts has already been constructed at the Mangalore Airport. There are plans to construct a new integrated terminal building complex with all modern facilities for handling 500 passengers at a time. This can be done only when the required additional land is handed over to the AAI by the State Government of Karnataka. Menawhile AAI has taken up renovation/modification of the existing terminal building and has initiated action for providing space for customs and immigration.
At Mangalore Airport Instrumental Landing System(ILS), has already been installed. Promulgation of the ILS is contingent on completion of flight trials, nominated check points, evaluation of let down procedure and approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
On completion of all the above works and when all relevant requirements are met, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will examine the possibilities to upgrade Mangalore Airport into an international airport.
Upgradation of an airport into an international airport is considered from time to time based on various factors such as projections of requirements by airlines, availability of land, customs , immigration plant and quarantine facilities etc.

Mangalore: Railway Link to Bajpe Airport needs Station at Maravoor Porkodi

The Hindu

Railway station can be set up at Porkodi or Maravoor It can be set up at Porkodi or Maravoor

Mangalore, Jul 24: The State Government has proposed a new rail link from Bayappanahalli to Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli.
However, the suggestion given by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to build a station for the existing railway line passing through the proposed new Mangalore (Bajpe) airport has not been taken up.
The railway line from Mangalore to Mumbai passes through Maravoor and Porkodi, which are on the way from Mangalore city to Bajpe airport.
Air India is planning to connect Mangalore and Dubai this year by introducing its low cost airline Air India Express. Air India has begun setting up its facilities at the Bajpe airport. The rail link will be particularly useful for cargo operations once the international flight service begins.
In case of Bangalore international airport a new railway line has to be laid. But in case of Mangalore the Union Government has to take a decision to set up a railway station either at Porkodi or Maravoor, official sources said. There is already a road link to Maravoor and Porkodi, which connects the city with the Bajpe airport.
There is a need to construct a station for the existing railway line, sources said.

Mangalore:Dubai-Mangalore Low-budget Flight Still Away from Couple of Months

• by Raviprasad Kamila for THE HINDU
  The airliner has deposited money with Airports Authority of India
  The Union Government has declared Bajpe airport a customs airport
  The Police department has provided training to the staff to be deployed for immigration clearance

MANGALORE, July 16: Air India is likely to launch its low-cost airline Air India Express between Dubai and Mangalore in a couple of months as it has deposited money with Airports Authority of India (AAI) to set up facilities at the Bajpe Airport.
Airport sources told The Hindu here on Friday that Air India was expected to start work on setting up facilities such as check-in counter and office and duty manager's room at the airport in a few days. Although the AAI had earlier allotted space for the airliner to set up its facilities at the airport, the latter had not deposited the amount needed for the purpose. But the amount was deposited on Thursday, they said.
Air India had proposed to start its Air India Express flight service between Mangalore and Dubai in May. But it did not materialise so far. It was said that the airline is facing shortage of aircraft.
The Union Government has declared Mangalore airport as the customs airport. The Police department has provided training to the staff to be deployed for immigration clearance at the Bureau of Immigration, Mumbai.
Directorate of Customs has also trained its manpower needed for customs clearance. The AAI has provided all basic facilities needed for starting service to international destinations.
Aviation policy
Only Air-India could start services to the Gulf according to the civil aviation policy, sources said.
But Air India had not begun any promotional activities for the proposed service. Hence it was not sure when exactly it would start it, sources said.

Dubai: Mangalore International Airport Aerial View

http://
wikimapia.org/#y=12962055&x=74890033&z=18&l=0&m=a

Mangalore:Airport Authority to Construct New Arrival Hall at Bajpe Airport

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 7:53:05 AM (IST)
Raviprasad Kamila for The Hindu

It is expected to be ready in ten months
The hall will be able to accommodate over 200 passengers
It will have immigration and customs counters, a duty free shop and conveyor belt
MANGALORE, July 11: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will construct a new arrival hall building in the existing terminal building area at Bajpe airport here at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore. Work on this will commence on Wednesday, according to sources in AAI.
Sources told The Hindu that the new hall was expected to be ready in ten months. Once the work is completed the existing arrival hall will become part of the departure hall and security hold area.
While the new hall will be able to accommodate over 200 passengers at a time, the existing hall has the capacity to handle only 150 passengers. The new hall will have space for immigration and customs counters, a duty free shop, conveyor belt and other facilities.
The annual passenger traffic (arrival and departure) at the airport has been on an upward trend for the past four years. The annual passenger movement at the airport stood at 2.02 lakh in 2002, 2.03 lakh in 2003, 2.64 lakh in 2004 and 2.77 lakh in 2005. According to AAI's projection, the passenger traffic is expected to touch 4.10 lakh in 2006.
In addition to this, the AAI had proposed construction of a new terminal building. However, the State Government is yet to hand over 82 acres of land for this to AAI.
The AAI has made budgetary provisions to construct the new terminal building. As the completion of the new terminal building will take nearly three years after the State hands over the land, AAI plans to build a new terminal hall keeping in mind the increasing passenger traffic.

Kuwait: India Approves Jazeera Airlines to Add 1300 Seats Weekly

Thursday, June 29, 2006 1:15:51 AM (IST)
KUWAIT / NEW DELHI, June 28:
The Indian government agreed to let Kuwaiti airline companies increase their weekly carrying capacity by 1,300 seats after a bilateral meeting on aviation was held here Wednesday.
Indian Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel met Kuwaiti Minister of Communication Ismael Al-Shatty here Wednesday discussing issues of promoting bilateral relations on civil aviation, according to a press release of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
According to the agreement, Kuwaiti airline company Jazeera Airways will operate 1,300 more seats per week from Wednesday.
India was in the process of opening up its skies, however, it still needed to address important issues such as proper airport infrastructure and the development of domestic carriers, Patel said at the meeting.
Another bilateral talk on opening civil aviation market will be held on July 18 and 19 here. The two sides agreed that they will discuss issues like linking Kuwait to more Indian cities and further increase in number of seats, the press release said.
Ismael Al-Shatty expressed satisfaction with the talks and hoped to build a strategic partnership with India in the near future.

Kuwait:Karnataka NRIs' Efforts to Bring about Kuwait-Mangalore Direct Flight

Daijiworld News Network [With inputs from Hasan A.Yusuf, Kuwait]
Kuwait, Jun 28: As the Mangalore airport has been announced as a Custom airport and given green signal to handle International flights, efforts are going on all around the Gulf countries to arrange direct flights to Mangalore.
The campaign started in Dubai a couple of years ago has now spread around the Gulf, and the Karnataka NRIs in Kuwait are making special efforts not only to bring International flight to Mangalore but also to have various Karnataka-related issues addressed.
The following news may welcomed as a very favourable development by NRIs from Mangalore.
A delegation from United Associations of Karnataka (UAKK) in Kuwait, a forum of 15 Associations working for the welfare of the people of Karnataka in Kuwait and in India, had a meeting in the evening of June 27, 2006 with Captain Mukhled K Al-Sawagh, Vice President, Operations, Jazeera Airways in Kuwait and Reinhard Kossack, Chief Operating Officer in their Head Office in Kuwait with regard to direct flights from Kuwait and other Gulf sectors to Mangalore airport.
John Tauro of Kuwait Aviation, a member of United Associations of Karnataka, Kuwait had arranged the said meeting with these Jazeera Airways higher officials, with the help of Bobby Varghese Jacob of the same Airways.
Pascal Pinto- Coordinator, government affairs of UAKK Kuwait, along with Hasan Yusuf and Fayaz Sheik (members of the delegation), submitted a memorandum to the Vice President, Operations requesting Jazeera Airways to help the NRIs from Mangalore and the surrounding areas by operating direct flights to Mangalore from Kuwait and other Gulf sectors.
Jazeera Airways officials told the delegation that they would look for possible ways to help in this matter and suggested to submit the details of the complete facilities available in Mangalore airport for International airways/flights. They also said that they would have another meeting with the UAKK delegation after studying the report on facilities available in Mangalore airport and the financial feasibility of operating direct flights to Mangalore.
The UAKK delegation thanked the Jazeera Airways officials for their encouragement to go ahead in this matter.
In the meantime, efforts are still on to exert maximum pressure on Air India Express and some other airlines to start immediate flights between Dubai and Mangalore.
More updates on this issue will available in the coming days

New Delhi:Air India considering leasing aircraft

News Courtesy : Times of India
Air India is examining leasing about six wide-bodied aircraft to add capacity and replace some planes whose leases expire in the next few months.
The national carrier was looking at dry-lease as well as the wet-lease route, in case aircraft were not available through the former, AI CMD V Thulasidass told.
Announcing that tenders were expected to be issued shortly, he said wet-leased aircraft would be taken only from airlines and not from any leasing company. Under wet-lease, an aircraft is leased with cockpit and/or cabin crew while under dry lease, only the plane is made available.
He also clarified that this route would be taken only if dry-leased planes were not available and wet-lease would only entail pilots and not the cabin crew.
The AI chief said the airline planned to launch flights to Mauritius with the leased aircraft. Besides, Air India also plans to launch flights from Mangalore and to Dubai in the near future.
He said Air India subsidiary, AI Express, would soon start operations to Kuala Lumpur from Chennai and was awaiting approval from the Malaysian government which, he hoped, would be available in the next few weeks.
However, Air India has begun these flights from Chennai last week with leased AI Express aircraft which were operating under AI codes, Thulasidass said.
In a bid to enhance productivity and remove deficiencies in the productivity-linked incentive (PLI) scheme introduced for engineering and other ground staff in 1996, the AI CMD said a six-member committee had been set up to review the PLI scheme.
The panel, which includes a member each from Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad), National Productivity Council and NITTI, besides Air India itself, would consult the Unions and the departments about the problems while making its recommendations within three months.
He said the need for a review of the scheme was felt following complaints from individual or categories of employees and stressed that productivity has to be the key objective, especially in the coming few years. Pilots and cabin crew do not avail PLI as their incentives are based on in-flight duties.
Asked whether it had received government approval for enhancing salaries or other benefits, Thulasidass said Air India had fulfilled the twin criteria of making profits for three years and did not require budgetary support to give a raise to its staffers.
Wage agreements have already been revised for some sections of employees and work was in progress for the other categories, he added.

New Delhi-AI Express to connect Amritsar, Mangalore to Dubai soon: CMD

Ashwini Phadnis - Business line

AIR India Express, the new low-cost airline being promoted by Air India, is to begin services from Mangalore and Amritsar to Dubai shortly, its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr V. Thulasidas, said.

"The Government has given us permission to operate more flights to Dubai. We plan to start operating soon from both Mangalore and Amritsar. Initially, the flight will not be a daily service. In the case of Mangalore, we are waiting for customs and other facilities to be available before starting the flight," Mr Thulasidas told Business Line.

The Government recently concluded an air services bilateral with Dubai that allows the designated airlines of the two countries to offer an additional 8,000 seats per week. Earlier, the airlines of the two countries were entitled to offer 10,400 seats per week in each direction.
Meanwhile, AI Express is awaiting permission from the Malaysian Government to start operating its own flights to Kuala Lumpur from Chennai. At present, the AI Express aircraft have been taken on wet lease by Air India to operate the service. "AI Express should get the permission within the next few weeks and then will be in a position to operate on the route with its own aircraft," said Mr Thulasidas.

AI Express, however, recently started operating a six-times-a-week service on the Chennai-Singapore sector.

AI Express took to the skies in April last year and operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In an effort to provide budget travel to the passenger, the aircraft offers seating in economy class only.

Mangalore:NRIs forum seeks international terminal in Mangalore

Our Bureau -Business Line

UAE-based NRIs forum has urged the Karnataka Government to acquire land for the construction of international terminal at Mangalore airport at the earliest.
A press release by the forum said that the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was in Dubai recently, has been urged to take steps in this regard. While acquiring land for this purpose, the affected people should be properly rehabilitated, the release added.
The Government should also take steps to construct an approach road to the international terminal, it said. Welcoming the Centre's decision to declare Mangalore as Customs Airport, the forum said that the move would help international flights to land in Mangalore. The forum requested the Government that the Mangalore airport be declared as international airport at the earliest.

Abu Dhabi: CM Kumaraswamy Invites NRIs to Invest in Karnataka

Daijiworld News Network - UAEInputs and pics Rajesh Sequeira Abu Dhabi,: During his 3-day official visit to the Emirates at the invitation of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Karnataka State chief minister H D Kumaraswamy spoke to the mediapersons on Thursday.
He invited the attention of the media to the various opportunities available in Karnataka especially in the IT sector BT sectors.
Infrastructure development, tourism, manufacturing, engineering, business process outsourcing etc are the several other sectors where investors can invest, he said.
He also briefed them on the various options for investors offered in Karnataka, which is an economy, compared favourably with the most developing economies in the world. “Karnataka has a favourable industrial climate, availability of various resources, stable and transparent and forward-looking government, and availability of more skilled human resources. The government of Karnataka is ready to extend its whole-hearted support to potential investors, he added.
The Karnataka NRI Forum and other associations submitted a memorandum to the CM raising concern on several issues including the delay in upgrading Mangalore Airport to international status. The NRI community also highlighted the inordinate delay in completion of Mangalore-Bangalore railway's broad gauge conversion. Rajesh Sequeira, coordinator of the Karnataka NRI Forum UAE in the memorandum laid stress on acquisition of the land at the earliest for construction of the International terminal and rehabilitated the people with proper compensation, construction of the road to the new terminal building, construction of railway station near the airport and acquiring deccan park till the new terminal is built which could accommodate international passengers.
The CM also mooted the idea of setting up airports in important cities of the state. Rajya Sabha berth for NRIs, priority for tourism development, CET Entrance exams for Non Resident Kannadigas and similar issues were also discussed during his visit.
The CM also appreciated the contribution made by the non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs) in the UAE and expressed happiness to be here to attend the silver jubilee celebration of the Kannandigas in the UAE.
The delegation led by chief minister met the officials of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and appraised them of the various investment opportunities available in the state. “I am giving an open invitation to the government of the UAE to invest in Karnataka,” he said. Indian ambassador to UAE C M Bhandary, minister of medical education and animal husbandry Dr V S Acharya, commerce and industries secretary Mahendra Jain, information and tourism, Kannada and culture secretary I M Vittala Murthy, Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation's chairperson and MD Sobha Nambisan, KSIDC's assistant general manager Dr V S Somanath, principal secretary to CM Sudhakar Rao, NMC managing director Dr B R Shetty, chief coordinator of Karnataka Sangha Sarvotham Shetty and UAE Exchange general manager Sudhir Shetty were also present on the occasion.

Dubai:Mangalore Airport Director M R Vasudeva Arrives in Dubai

by Ramcy Fernandes - Daijiworld News Network - Dubai
Dubai, Jun 7: The much-talked-about man in the matter of the Mangalore International Airport has arrived in Dubai on an official visit at 5-00 pm local time on Tuesday, June 6.
Karnataka NRI Forum coordinator and special correspondent of Daijiworld Rajesh Sequeira along with a few prominent Mangaloreans were at the airport to receive Vasudeva, who is visiting here along with Soran Singh DGM Communication, Mumbai to attend a seminar organised by SITA (Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques) in Abu Dhabi on June 7, on the subject "Growth beyond Expectation'.
While speaking to Daijiworld in the airport, upon his very first visit to any of the Gulf countries, Vasudeva said he was overwhelmed to see the Dubai international airport and was highly impressed by its looks and pattern.
He has re-confirmed that "Mangalore is ready to become the International Airport; we are only waiting for the airlines to confirm their dates"
"It was my dream to bring Mangalore airport up to international level. My efforts were well supported by people, authorities and government. I am extremly happy about the progress achieved in the Mangalore airport. We had lot of hurdles initially, but the we have been able to overcome the problems."
He was sounding relaxed and happy upon his first landing.
"I wanted to fly from Mangalore to Dubai or Sharjah direct... but it could not happen," he regretted.
When asked about the night landing facility in Mangalore, he said: "We have installed the latest type of lights to facilitate night landing. We are even ready for night-time flights," he assured.
He was highly impressed by the way the NRIs stood solidly behind the Mangalore international issue, while he also appreciated the efforts put in by NRI Karnataka Forum in Dubai, as well as other forums in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere.
When asked about the prospects of the first flight landing, he said "It's upto the airlines, but we are fully co-operating with any airline which is approaching us. Our efforts will not be complete until the first international flight lands at Mangalore."
He complimented daijiworld for the media support given in Mangalore and public opinion formed at international level on the airport issue.
Vasudeva will be one of the guests of honour at Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi's 25th year celebration on June 9, where chief minister H D Kumaraswamy will also take part.
Karnataka NRI forum is doing its best to put maximum pressure on the chief minister to take a firm initiative on the first international flight service to Mangalore.
Vasudeva had a special word of praise for Karnataka NRI Forum UAE convener Rajesh Sequeira. He said if a large number of people had taken the kind of interest in the subject as Rajesh had taken, Mangalore would have become an international airport way back in the 1970's or 1980's, he said. "Anyway, I am only hoping that leading airlines would start operating international flights very soon," he concluded

Dubai:Who's Playing with our Sentiments?'

Tuesday, June 06, 2006 8:28:25 AM (IST) Mangalore Airport Status:
by Walter NandalikeEditor-in-chiefDaijiworld.com
June 6: When the Mangalore airport started its flight operations in 1951, it was one of the historic moments for the land of Dakshina Kannada and around. During that time, not many people might have thought that it would take another fifty years for an international flight to land here !
The progress of Mangalore airport was at a snail's pace until recently. The campaign for international status to the airport was started sometime in 1971, as many people recall. Many people did their best but had to give up out of sheer despair.
But, M R Vasudeva, the present airport director at Mangalore, gave a new hope to the project of upgrading the Mangalore airport to intenational status. Being the son of the soil, his love for Mangalore and his commitment to duty have been the contributing factors for ensuring the progress in the upgradation of the airport to international standards. No doubt the Aiports Authority of India and government officials have provided full back-up.
"The progress seen in the last two years at the Bajpe airport is certainly far greater than what took place during the earlier twentyfive years," said an official at the airport to Daijiworld. And that is absolute truth.
During Veerappa Moily's tenure as chief minister, Abu Dhabi-based NRI entrepreneur B R Shetty took the initiative for a new airport to be built in Padubidri region in the present Udupi district, thus facilitating landing of international flights. But the omnipresent 'politics' appeared to have played a major role. The mission could not be fulfilled for many reasons.
In the year 2003, Rajesh Sequeira, engineer by profession, took the lead in the UAE and gathered some like-minded Mangaloreans with the support of NRI entrepreneurs to rejuvenate the campaign. There could not have been a more competent person to spearhead this mission than Rajesh Sequeira because he had earlier worked for Jet Airways at Mangalore airport for a few years and knows the passenger movement and facilities in and out.
By then the union government already sanctioned funds for expanding the runway. Rajesh's efforts inspired similar initiatives in other Gulf countries also. Unfortunately not many people back home supported the cause. Those religious leaders and social workers who keep travelling to the Gulf for 'charity' purposes, never thought of the interests and needs of the very NRI's from whom they perennially expect the milk of human generosity to flow. But the campaign snowballed and the efforts put up by the NRIs got stronger and stronger.
2006 - A Golden Year for Mangaloreans?
Yes, as far as international airport is concerned, it's a great year. In January, an Airbus A319 landed for the first time in Mangalore, thanks to the Kingfisher airlines.
Kingfisher Airlines' maiden flight having landed in Mangalore
The runway work was completed in May and the soon after the maiden flight landed on the new strip. The pilot who landed the first flight was all praise for the new runway since it had met with the specifications of international standards and had a fabulous finish. Full credit to airport director at Mangalore for getting the airport declared as customs airport and obtaining permission for immigration facility.
The above three are indeed major achievements.
Where is the international flight?
Now the million-dollar question. The airport is ready, the customs facility is ready, the immigration is ready...but where is the flight?
Is it the Sharjah flight or a bird?
Daijiworld.com played a major role in mobilizing and promoting appeals to the higher level through its reports from time to time. In Mangalore, a few local dailies have taken special interest in this issue and have been reporting regularly to highlight the need of the hour.
The maiden flight was announced on May 7, 2006 by Air India Express. But the Air India 'Express' was delayed and grounded even before its launching!
The airline officials gave two further, revised dates for the international operations, but failed to keep up the promise. But daijiworld.com has reliably learnt that Air India Express is running short of aircraft. The promised aircraft on the Chennai- Singapore, scheduled to be launched in March this year, is yet to arrive ! Once Chennai - Singapore route becomes operational, the next priority route is expected to be Dubai-Mangalore.
When we lost the immediate hopes on AI Express then suddenly came into the scene AP Air, a chartered line. Though it was not a major help for passengers, at least a flight could have been a breakthrough, which would have given a much-needed moral boost to the Mangalorean NRI's. The flight which was scheduled to fly Sharjah - Mangalore direct on May 26 got stranded at Sharjah, supposedly because of regulatory issues in Sharjah.
Travel Agent Misguiding?
The travel agent for AP Air in Dubai has reportedly misguided some of the passengers who enquired about the direct flight by saying, "Due to problems in Mangalore airport, the flight could not take off!'.
The Mangalore airport authorities have rubbished this statement and have confirmed to daijiworld that the Mangalore aiport is now ready to receive international flights and all hurdles have been cleared. Whatever the problems AP Air have in the matter of taking off AP Air are their own and Mangalore airport has nothing to do with it, say the aiport sources in Mangalore.
When daijiworld contacted AP Air's top officials, we were told, "Still our efforts are on. We do not want any hurdles once the flights take off. We want to fly regularly, so we are completing formalities here. The process is a bit slow, but it will be done soon."
No Godfather for Mangaloreans
It is true that no top Mangalorean political leader has taken keen interest in International airport movement. Look at the Pune airport and Amritsar airport in Punjab. Compared to Mangalore, they are much smaller and less-equipped airports. But international flights are flying regularly without any hurdles. If they can be allotted flights, why not Mangalore?
Yes, perhaps Mangalore does not have any 'Sharad Pawar' who can work for our own people. Sharad Pawar single-handeldly got Pune as international airport and it was on his birthday - Novemeber 14, 2004 - that they had a flight to fly Dubai - Pune direct! We depend on 'outsiders' at the national level who need to put their hands in our needs!
We need a godfather who can stand by the NRI needs. The basic need is the international flight now. Who will exert pressure on Air India Express or Indian Airlines, or any other airline? Who will instill confidence in them on the feasibility and profitability of an international flight to Mangalore?
Community leaders like Abu Dhabi enterpreneur B R Shetty and Ryan International School director Grace Pinto have been working behind the scenes by using their political contacts.
Abu Dhabi-based NRI entrepreneur B R Shetty discussing the progress of Mangalore airport upgradation with airport director M R Vasudeva
Still we do not find any politician who can press our demands. The entire hopes are now pinned on our dynamic union civil aviation minister Praful Patel, who can make things happen.....but when?
The question will remain unanswered if someone does not take the initiative.
Who's playing with our sentiments?
Despite all facilities being in place in Mangalore, why the delay in landing the flight? Who's playing with our sentiments? Do you get the smell of the domestic airline lobby? No doubt the domestic flight from Mumbai to Mangalore will have to run with less load and even at slashed tariffs if direct flights ae introduced. About 60% of the domestic passengers are said to be Gulf, Europe and USA-based. If a lobby of this kind is working overtime, what is the state of our dream?
Pressure on 'Indian':
The Karnataka NRI forum has put pressure on 'Indian', the re-christened Indian Airlines. Though it has all the potential for flying full capacity between Dubai-Mumbai-Mangalore and Sharjah - Mumbai- Mangalore, a little more interest from Indian will surely ensure a regular direct flight to Mangalore.
Though in February 2006, Indian promised us that they were considering flying direct very 'soon', this 'soon' should materialize by July/August positively.
Daijiworld's role:
A large number of articles, news, interviews and pictures published on this portal over the last three years are an example of efforts and interest taken by our team, whether in Mangalore, Mumbai, Dubai or elsewhere. Now hundreds of emails are flooding our mailboxes about the status of the international flight. Our team in Dubai gets calls from everywhere. Our Mangalore office is flooded with calls from aborad..'When is the first flight?'
We deliver whatever news we receive from reliable sources. And we will keep updating our readers and it is our commitment than every single information received will be shared through this flatform.
All we need is a little patience. We are very hopeful that the first flight will surely land very soon.
Any suggestions and further efforts on the part of NRI's are most welcome.
Please write to us and let us know what you, as individuals or collectively, can do towards realizing this dream

Mangalore:Second runway at Mangalore airport ready

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.

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.

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: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.

Mangalore: Flight Services to Dubai Likely to Start from Bajpe Airport on May 21

The Hindu
The first international flight services from Bajpe airport may start on May 21 if everything goes as discussed at a high-level meeting held at the airport on Thursday.
N Yogish Bhat, MLA, who attended the meeting, told the reporter that it was "very positive". The meeting discussed aspects related to setting up of immigration and customs facilities at the airport. "If everything goes as planned, the first international flight from Bajpe airport will take off on May 21," he said. The Government would cooperate and provide facilities, he said.
The meeting also discussed the need to set up a Police Commissionerate in Mangalore and upgrade the Bajpe police station.
Addressing presspersons before the meeting, Sudhakar Rao, Principal Secretary, to Government, said that the Department of Home Affairs would provide immigration facilities if other basic requirements were met at the airport.
However, Rao said that no compromise would be made with respect to security at the airport while providing immigration facilities. "Immigration facility will be provided at Bajpe airport when AAI is ready to handle international flight operations from the airport," he said.
Air India had sought 15 to 20 days to start its operation from the airport once all facilities were ready.
Air India Express, the low cost airliner of Air India, had proposed starting a Mangalore-Dubai service. According to a tentative schedule, its Boeing 737-800 will arrive here from Dubai at 8.20 pm and take off for Dubai at 9.20 pm.
M R Vasudeva, director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bajpe airport, Raghavendra Auradkar, Inspector General Police, State Intelligence (Security), H V Parshwanath, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, B Dayananda, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, Manuskar Rao, Joint Commissioner, Customs, Mangalore, A Srinivas Rao, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Subbayya Shetty, former president, KCCI, Padmanabha Kamath, general secretary, KCCI, and other officials attended the meeting