Mangalore: Airbus A320 from Mumbai Lands at Bajpe Airport

The Hindu
Mangalore, Sep 21: The Bajpe (Mangalore) airport handled an Airbus 320 with passengers on board for the first time in 51 years, on Wednesday.
The Airbus 320 of Kingfisher Airlines from Mumbai arrived at 2.25 p.m. and departed for Mumbai at 3 p.m. The 134-seater aircraft is very spacious and has facilities such as music and television. While the economy class was full, a few business class seats were vacant, sources said.
The aircraft landed on the new runway that was the first complete concrete runway of an airport in the State. This runway was opened for aircraft operations recently.

Dubai: Maiden Direct Flight to Mangalore to Go Full

Daijiworld News Network - Dubai
Dubai, Sep 19: This is an apt example to the entire Mangalorean diaspora that that how curiously, yet patiently Mangalore-bound people have been long waiting for the direct flight.

On Friday, September 15 evening around 10.45 pm Daijiworld flashed the news about availability of on-line booking, and since then it took just less than 36 hours for the seats on the inaugural flight to be a total sell-out ! (Total 180 seats)

As this report is being filed, tickets of not only October 3, but also October 19 and 21 have been entirely booked.

"The response has been superb. People are simply waiting to see the first flight. Everywhere the people have been talking about the first flight," says an Air India Express official in Dubai while speaking to daijiworld.

"We never knew daijiworld to be such a powerful medium. It made our task easy. We are looking forward to servng Mangalore destination. Hope we will have a good beginning," he adds.

Currently on-line booking is opened until October 28. Booking for the winter session will be opened soon. There may be a change in the timing also.

It is very important for passengers who are flying Air India Express to note that all the flights will take off from Terminal 2, at Dubai International Airport.

Rajesh Sequeira, who took the lead in the direct flight mission has said, "Our responsibility does not end here. The operation should move smoothly and continuity is very important. However, our immediate goal is to see that all other Gulf countries too should be connected by direct flights or at least for the time being there should be convenient connecting flights. We will work in that direction once the Air India Express operation begins," he asserted.

Several travel agencies and related business houses are now lined up for encashing the opportunity of direct flight. One of city's noted travel house Caesar Travels has wasted no time to announcing free transport from Bajpe Airport to Udupi and Mangalore region for those who book the tickets through them. (Tel: 04-3599669 Irshad / Abbu)

There are others lined up with various offers. Even some travel houses are planning to offer holiday packages to Mangalore.

The current fare starts from Dhs 1208 including taxes (Return) which is quite affordable and it is expected to remain same for a longer period.

The inaugural flight is expected to take off at 2.10pm UAE time and expected to arrive at Mangalore airport at 7.10 pm IST

AI Express Opens Mangalore - Dubai Online Flight Booking

AI Express Opens Mangalore - Dubai Online Flight Booking
Daijiworld News Network - Dubai / Mangalore
Dubai, Sep 15: Finally, the news has come which would delight each and every Mangalorean living in the UAE that direct flying dream has is said to be drawing closer, as Air India Express opens its online booking for direct Dubai - Mangalore sector, a 210-minute non-stop journey.

The inaugural flight (Flight NO IX 802) is on October 3, 2006, departure time in Dubai is 1410 hrs and arrival at Bajpe at 19.10 hrs.

The return flight from Mangalore is at 2100hrs IST and arrival at Dubai is 2300hrs UAE time

Air India Express will fly THREE times a week Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Inaugural flight on Tuesday is an exception as several VIPs are expected to fly on this flight.

Though all the formalities have been completed, the Air India Express and Mangalore Airport authorities as well as schedule is approved by AAI in New Delhi, AI express specified a clause in its online booking "Schedules are subject to clearances from relevant Government Authorities. Please check and confirm with our Call Center at least 24 Hours before Departure"

Daijiworld has learnt that it is a standard clause for covering the last moment risk, as anything may happen until first flight takes off.

Readers who are following daijiworld.com closely may be aware that since year 2003 July a special initiative has been taken by Rajesh Sequeira who formed a Karnataka NRI forum, many had laughed at him saying "The work which could not take place over the last 33 (from 1970 to 2003 for international airport efforts) will never happen and this forum will be just around only for be the name's same sake.

When Rajesh took enormous efforts towards this goal, UAE's well entrepreneur B R Shetty and other few entrepreneurs Supported him. Mangalore airport director put his special efforts despite of his government position and commitment. Daijiworld has left no tone unturned in highlighting the news and updating the status time to time, since last one year more people became active in this direction and around the Gulf NRI organizations have come up. Sincere efforts by West Coast NRI forum in Daharan Dammam was to be mentioned specially in this juncture and they put tremendous pressure without seeking the name and publicity.

If flight flies as scheduled on Oct 3, it will be a historic day for Mangaloreans worldwide and those who fly on first flight will remember the day as most remembered day.

For online booking Click - http://www.airindiaexpress.in

More details in this regards will be updated as and when it comes

Mangalore: Dharna Staged at Bajpe Airport

The Hindu
Memorandum submitted to Union Civil Aviation Minister
Union Government urged to start international flight services
Facilities to handle international flights are ready

Mangalore, Sep 14: Members of the Indian Muslim Cultural Centre (a wing of the Indian Nation League), a UAE-based organisation, staged a dharna in front of the Bajpe airport here on Wednesday.
It urged the Union Government to upgrade the airport to international standards and start flights to international destinations at the earliest.
They submitted a memorandum to Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel through M.R. Vasudev, director, Bajpe airport, Airports Authority of India. The memorandum said that of the total passenger traffic handled at the Bajpe airport annually, approximately 30 per cent was bound for international destinations via Mumbai airport. In 2004-05 Mangalore airport handled 2,68,424 passengers, 18.58 per cent more than the previous year.
Customs and immigration counters, a runway and four parking stands are ready at the airport. But nobody knows the reason behind delaying the commencement of the international flights.
The memorandum said that it was the long cherished dream of people of North Malabar (in Kerala) and Dakshina Kannada to have direct flights to West Asian countries from Mangalore airport.
The people from these areas working in West Asia will be benefited if direct flights operated from Mangalore. It is suspected that the authorities fear that other zones may be marginalised if international flights start operation from here.
P.M.A. Salim, Kozhikode MLA, N. A. Suleman, secretary, Federation of International Air Transport Agents' Association, and others led the dharna.

Mangalore: Air India Express Awaits Approval of Flight Schedule

Raviprasad Kamila / The Hindu
Mangalore, Sep 13: Air India Express, the low cost airline of Air India, which is to start a service between Mangalore and Dubai from October 2, has sent a three-phase schedule (timings) of the proposed service to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
But the Director General of Civil Aviation is yet to approve the schedule, according to sources in Air India. The airline would operate its service between the two destinations thrice a week, on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Schedule
According to the schedule, the first flight from Dubai will arrive here at 6 pm and depart to Dubai at 9 pm. These timings will be in force till October 28.
The flight will arrive at 6.15 pm and depart at 9 pm from October 30 to December 23. In the third phase, from December 25 till February 2007 the flight will arrive at 9.15 pm. and depart at 1 am. However, the confirmation of the timings will depend on the approval from the Director General of Civil Aviation.
Air India Express has already set up its check-in counter at the Bajpe (Mangalore) airport. This flight service is expected to benefit a number of non-resident Indians in West Asia having their roots in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

Mangalore Airport: AI Express Counter in Place - Flight in the Air?

Daijiworld News Network - Dubai UAE / Mangalore Pictures: Praveen Tauro - Daijiworld.com Mangalore

The Mangalore international airport project will go down in history as one marked by the most number of hurdles like indecision, lack of initiative and political will, empty promises, boastful claims, lack of leadership, passing the buck, blame game and many others
In this sordid drama, only a very few individuals stand apart as having done something concrete, quietly and without fanfare
Come the inauguration day, there will be dozens of persons to take the credit, share the dais and hog publicity
A reader survey by daijiworld reflects frustration, anger but hope too
September 3: The hopes of NRI Mangaloreans for flying direct from Gulf countries keep getting shattered but never seem to go dead.
The breach of promises by various authorities and individuals has clearly hurt their sentiments, but the dawn of each day brings in a new hope "One day or other, we will fly direct. That's for sure, " a majority of people say in a determined and hopeful mood.
Last week Mangalore airport director Vasudeva announced that Air India Express has allotted a slot for Dubai-Mangalore direct flight in winter season. Though he has given the date as October 2, for many NRIs it is just another date, not because of him, but other factors.
"I have given the information based on a letter received from Air India Express; it may vary at any time. You cannot consider this as firm until they open the booking," he said while speaking to daijiworld correspondent at Bajpe airport on Friday.
But Mangaloreans in the UAE have all the reason to keep their hopes alive, as Gulf News daily has confirmed the news, based on a press release issued by Air India Express' top executive Sanjiv Talwar in Dubai
"The board of Air India has approved the October schedule for direct flight from Dubai to Mangalore and Amritsar," quoted Gulf News.
"It would be most likely from October 2, but we still need a clearance from Mangalore airport," Talwar was quoted as saying.
When daijiworld contacted Mangalore airport authority, they said "That is true; but there are no hurdles from Mangalore airport. It is just a matter of paper work"
Sanjiv Talwar also said: "At the moment Air India is planning to fly three times a week to Mangalore and Amritsir separately. Also Air India is waiting for the delivery of 10 Boeing 737-800s and once the delivery is completed, it may increase the frequency of flights to Mangalore and Amritsar."
Let us keep our fingers crossed then and wait for the news, as we are all desperate to see direct international flights landing in Mangalore.
When daijiworld correspondent visited the Bajpe airport on Friday, a lot of preparations were seen taking place to usher in the maiden international flight. Arrangements for a separate, extended arrival hall, though temporary, are under way. The construction work of a new, permanent arrival hall has already begun, according to Vasudeva, who is equally eager to see the direct International flight from any country. He is leaving no stone unturned to convert the hopes of NRIs into a reality.
"Air India Express counters are ready. The counters for Customs have just arrived. Security measures are being set up," he said.
During the past week, Daijiworld reporting team carried out an extensive survey among some regular readers, prominent leaders and other NRIs, as well as Mangaloreans back home.
Out of 65 persons contacted on a representative basis, some presented a few interesting questions. But more than 50% of NRIs still refuse to believe that the first flight is going to land in October 2006, solely in the wake of their experience with recent promises and deadlines not being met.
54% say:
"We are tired of hearing such promises. We do not blame anyone except our political leaders. If they had helped in these matters, we would have flown long back. A majority feels that since the NRIs do not have voting rights, the politicians are not bothered about the NRI problems and also they think that NRIs have a lot of money and therefore are capable of handling the problems on their own!
To impress the NRIs, the politicians visit the Gulf countries on holidays or 'official' trips, and simply give false promises and never had them fulfilled in any way.
About 80% of the interviewees blame Oscar Fernandes for this delay. "He has such huge influence in the government. He has excellent political rapport with Sonia Gandhi, but never has had a will to help the NRIs. It is very sad and most NRIs regard Oscar as kind of 'Villain no. 1' in not helping in any way."
About 90% of readers whom we contacted say, all the boastful claims notwithstanding, Veerappa Moily, Bangarappa, Siddaramaiah, and 'Son of the Soil' Deve Gowda as well as his son Kumaraswamy have done NOTHING for the betterment of Mangalore Airport.
Some of the businessmen say the work should have been executed 10 years ago. They are very cynical about the flight taking off this year at all.
According to some senior readers, the airport mission can be accomplished faster if only Oscar Ferandes wields his influence with Sonia Gandhi. The main person to do this job is Praful Patel, the union civil aviation minister. To convince the aviation minister, only Sonia Gandhi is the right person, they say.
However, 46% of the readers still hopeful, and they deem the news of new date announcement as a 'positive' development and we should fly by October 2006, they say with confidence.
"We don't need politicians to get a direct flight. Our dynamic airport director and the unity of overseas NRI organizations are enough to get a flight"
"The real movement was started since year 2003 when Rajesh Sequeira floated the Karnataka NRI Forum in Dubai. His initiative thereafter motivated several organizations in other countries. If at all we have reached this stage now, a few people / organizations should be given credit. They are airport director Vasudeva, NRI entrepreneurs B R Shetty, NRI Karnataka Forum UAE leader Rajesh Sequeira, NRI Forum based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Hassan Yusuf, Pascal Pinto and their group in Kuwait and other supporters."
A few readers angrily vented their frustration. "Stop the politicians from coming here to the Gulf. Don't invite them at all," commented an angry reader, being unable to hide his emotions.
A very enthusiastic reader from Saudi Arabia was more outspoken. "Come what may, we are hopeful and our dream will come true. If it does not happen, let all NRIs during the next holiday season - probably in December - get into the streets in Mangalore and protest and protest until someone listens to us. We will gather in the airport and show the NRIs' unity..We will win,' said he.
But another reader from Dubai says, "We are good when there is a free forum to write our comments in. But actually when it comes to the matter of protest or unity, we are nowhere. In reality, practically all support is on paper. Hardly a 100 people from all Gulf countries will come to support during their holidays. Because 'others' do not have the time for such things!"
Regarding the entire process of international flights to Mangalore, a prominent leader in Dubai, has a very interesting comment
"Now it is almost sure that the flight will take off...but you have to wait and see who will take the credit for this!..It is just like a bus which has a starting trouble and needs to be pushed by some people to get going with a jerk. No one will come to push the bus to get it started..but once with the help of 2-3 people it gets started, then everyone will run and climb the bus to travel!'
He couldn't have put it better.
Conclusion:
The above comments are all based on the reader feedback received as part of the survey conducted by daijiworld, and the opinions are purely of the individuals or groups concerned and they do not represent Daijiworld.
The Mangalore international airport project will go down in history as one marked by the most number of hurdles like indecision, lack of initiative and political will, empty promises, boastful claims, lack of leadership, passing the buck, blame game and many others.In this sordid drama, only a very few individuals stand apart as having done something concrete, quietly and without fanfare. Come the inauguration day, there will be dozens of persons to take the credit, share the dais and hog publicity.
By the way, we fully realize the eagerness and despair of the NRIs when we receive letters over letters, asking us, "When are you starting the flight?". When we have every sympathy for their frustration, we would like to point out that flying is not our cup of tea, only conveying news and information is. And, as usual, daijiworld will keep you informed about every development. We will wait for the official announcement. As a media we can relay the news, help form public opinion and exert pressure...but can't charter a flight to Mangalore !

Mangalore: Air India Express sets up Counter in Bajpe Airport

Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore Aug 29: The Air India Express Dubai-Mangalore flight is likely to take off in the first week of October.

While sources have informed Daijiworld that the international flight will begin operations on October 2, Air India Express on Tuesday, Aug 29 has already set up its counter at the Bajpe Airport.

Air India Express took over the counter two months back and on Tuesday they have set up a counter and have also put up a board at the airport.

The flights will operate on three days a week (Monday, Saturday and Thursday).

Airport officials have also expressed that the flight operations is likely to begin on October 23, however no official correspondence has taken place between the airport authorities and Air India Express.

Mangalore:International Flights to Mangalore Likely in October, says Vasudeva

Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore Aug 25: Air India Express is likely to begin international flight operations between Dubai-Mangalore in the first week of October informed according to airport director M R Vasudeva.
This was announced during programme organized by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Sky Bus Project at the KCCI Exim Facilitation Centre here on Thursday Aug 24.
Aiming at beginning international flights to Mangalore in the first week of October, Air India Express has been preparing the ground, said Vasudeva, adding that the exact dates for the flight operation will be announced in a week’s time.

Mangalore Airport: A Dream Never Come True?

by Walter NandalikeEditor-in-chief

Dubai, : Reading the above headline you may feel a little disappointed, but that is not the intention of this write-up. The dream would have come true long back if leaders of Dakshina Kannada had worked honestly towards the benefit of the NRIs. Sadly, it did not happen.
As widely expected, H D Kumaraswamy, the honorable Chief minister of Karnataka, while on a private picnic to Dubai about three months ago, had said, even before being posed the question, that "within 30 days I will see that Mangalore will have direct flight from Dubai!" Some thirty days!
Mangaloreans did not see the direct flight, but within a month Kumaraswamy saw ‘Ganikappa!’ (the mining bribery scandal).
The hopes were already bleak because daijiworld readers were fed up with such promises having come earlier right from former PM Deve Gowda, former CM Bangarappa, former CM Veerappa Moily, former deputy CM Siddaramaiah...and many others.
Aviation specialist and NRI Karnataka Forum coordinator Rajesh Sequeira, with no political support and no godfather has burnt a hole in his own pocket by spending quite a large amount on this mission (No sponsors!), and an enormous amount of resources, time and energy.
An important breakthrough was declaration of Mangalore Airport as a Customs Airport. Indeed this was a big victory on the way for the fight for an International status for the Bajpe airport.
Rajesh, who does not want to break the silence for a few days, has strongly hinted that a remarkable breakthrough has been achieved and it will be disclosed just at the right time so that no one will foil the plan, and even if it does not materialize due to some reason, no one will blame him for giving 'false hopes'. He has learnt to be diplomatic these days.
Now hopes have been kindled in the hearts of Mangaloreans in Dubai with the thought that Air India has given a slot to Mangalore airport during the winter season. Air India does not want to confirm this news officially now, because they have been embarrassed with the earlier announcement of dates which were unfortunately not realized. On the other hand they do not want to deny either that they are ready to fly from Winter season
A private chartered plane was set to fly from Sharjah some time ago. A leading Dubai FM radio advertised extensively for a month about this news. Finally this too could not take off. The reason was that the plane was too old to fly. Thank God, it did not fly!
Well, the purpose of this update is, we at Daijiworld are being flooded with a number of messages every day. Some people ask questions as if Daijiworld is responsible for operating the flights! But we feel proud because they depend on us for the authentic and latest information and they place immense trust in us.
In the meantime, we would like to remind the readers that efforts are on, and no one has lost hopes. And our hopes are very much alive. And the day first flight hovers over Mangalore, perhaps a long-awaited mission will have been completed.
Just start counting days from today on !

Bhatkal: NRI West Coast Fourm (Dubai) Demands International Status for Mangalore Airport

Daijiworld News Network - Uttara Kannada (GA)
Bhatkal, Aug 2: "Considering the needs of NRIs the union government should take adequate and immediate steps to upgrade the Mangalore airport to international status at least by the end of August, 2006," said Mohammad Farook Shabandri, president of NRI West Coast Forum, Dubai.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Rabita Society here recently. He said that upgradation of Mangalore airport to international status would be beneficial to more than 2 lac NRIs working in Gulf and Middle-East countries.
He also disclosed that the forum had submitted an appeal to the union government last year which was signed by more than 10,000 NRIs. "Moreover, a delegation of the forum had met the Prime Minister, civil aviation minister and the chief minister of the state in this regard and had appealed them to upgrade the Mangalore airport. But nothing much is done in this regard either by the union or state government," he regretted.
He added that while the neigbouring state of Kerala has 4 international airports, Karnataka does not have a single international airport. "Kerala is all set to get one more international airport. Mangalore airport is ready, technically as well as traffic wise, to get international status. But owing to some unknown factors airport is not being granted international status," he said.
Rabita society secretary Zaheed Ruknuddin and Aftab were also present at the press conference.

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.