July 17: D-day for Kuwait - Mangalore Direct Flight?

Daijiworld Media Network Dubai / Mangalore / Mumbai
Kuwait, Jun 26: Long-awaited dream of people from Coastal Karnataka and Northern Malabar region living in Kuwait, of flying direct to Mangalore airport is almost set to come true, as final preparations are on and within a week's time tickets will be available online.
Top sources of Air India Express told Rajesh Sequeira, Coordinator for Karnataka NRI forum in Dubai that Thursday July 17 has been finalized as the date for maiden Kuwait-Mangalore direct flight as of now. Authorities have presented the schedule to aviation ministry for approval. The schedule is expected to get the approval within a week's time.
Initially there will be two flights a week, on Sunday and Thursday via Muscat.
Sources also said that a brand new aircraft of AI Express arrived on Monday June 23 and the process of introducing direct flight has started after the arrival of new aircraft. Owing to smaller carrying-capacity of the aircraft, it may not be possible to fly direct Kuwait - Mangalore flight as of now. Hence flights have been scheduled to fly via Muscat for the time being.
Several NRI organizations from Kuwait have been trying for this direct flight from the last few years. Though Kuwait is one of the oldest and largest places where large numbers of Coastal Karantaka NRIs are residing, direct flight to fly home has still been a mirage. This long delay in introducing direct flight had angered large number of NRIs.
Now with the beginning of Mangalore-Kuwait sector, passengers will be relieved of their woes of travelling via Mumbai or other airports in India.
The submitted schedule for approval is as follows:
Flight No. IX 389 / IX 390
Flight will arrive from Coachin to Mangalore at 18.50hrsDeparture to Kuwait via Muscat at 19.35hrs
Departure from Kuwait to Mangalore via Muscat at 0.05hrs next dayFurther information will be updated soon on daijiworld.com

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Vijay Rai to Lead Riyadh - M'lore Direct Flight Campaign

by P A Hameed - RiyadhDaijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Jun 22: A long-awaited Direct Flight Campaign kicked off when a common platform representing all the Mangalorean communities, named “KARAVALI WELFARE ASSOCIATION”-Riyadh came into existence on Jun 20, Friday at 4.00 pm in Riyadh.
If at all a golden word to be written, then the pages of history of Mangaloreans in Riyadh-Saudi Arabia becomes most eligible to be on the frontline as a first common platform named “Karavali Welfare Association-Riyadh” came into existence with broad objectives of bringing all Mangalorean communities together and fight for common cause.
Different people working in different directions for a common cause will lead them to zero zone without having an expected results. So, there will be no exaggeration if we say that the dictum “Unite we stand, divide we fall” is the basis for its formation. The birth of the Association started with taking up the issue of Direct Flight from Riyadh to Mangalore. A large number of Mangalorean residents are working in various Companies and establishments in the Kingdom. Many of them usually travel by way of Mumbai International Airport to their destinations, which are situated in and around Mangalore. Most of the Companies in the Kingdom give its employees a round trip tickets only up to Mumbai as a final destination.
The Mangaloreans get worst affected due to this as their on-going journey doesn’t end at Mumbai. They have to spend out of their own pocket for their ultimate destination in Mangalore. If the dream of Direct Flight to Mangalore comes true with the cooperation of all the concerned State MLAs, MPs, Ministers and Central Ministers, Central Ministers of Karnataka State, and other Officials, then it will be very much useful and a countless problems on the way of journey will considerably be reduced. As an initial takeup, the Association gets actively involved in the campaign through various methods that is useful to get the long-pending demands done.
As Vijay Rai, who was selected as the President of the Association, stated in his speech, “We will start our initiative first with signature campaign by linking all the Mangaloreans in and around Riyadh; If all the Mangaloreans comes forward for this cause with a common goal, then we will definitely be successful in getting the demand done without much difficulty;”.
Another guest on the dais, Royston Prabhu, who is selected as General Secretary of the Association, said-“Mangalore is one of the important places in India and it is fetching a hefty income to the national income of the Country through foreign exchange and other investments; a lot of people in and around Mangalore including the residents of northern parts of Kerala like Kanhangad, Canannore in the Kingdom badly need of the direct flight from Riyadh to Mangalore; it is all our duty to endeavor for the cause and bring to the concerned about the issue and get the issue solved”.
Action plan for the coming days was provisionally done to cause the issue on hype and its goal is that it should apparently reach the Bench of Parliament, Vidhana Soudha, Ministers Chambers and Officials’ table. Though some efforts have been floated by the Mangaloreans for the Direct flight cause in the Kingdom, yet there was no any driving force behind all those actions. Jammiyathul Falah-Riyadh Unit had started its signature campaign in its last Get-together and a memorandum was handed to the Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Pranav Mukherjee, and Salman Kurshid, requesting them to kick off the direct flight to Mangalore, when they arrived in the Kingdom some two months ago. The Association is aimed at thrusting the movement in a rapid action and making the long-awaited dream to come true.
Feedback forms have been distributed to the attendees for their suggestions and all have very enthusiastically participated in it. Parvez Ali kicked off the Programme with the welcome & introduction speech in Tulu language. The hotel hall was jam-packed with the enthusiasts. Posters colored with pictures of Kambla, Daff, Harvesting were hanging on the walls of the hall that smelt of Tulunada soil in the desert sand.
Iftikar Ahmed Kana, who is one of the main campaigners for the Direct Flight Campaign, addressed the audience calling for collective efforts in this direction. Rajesh Kumar Surathkal, who is another campaigner for the cause, conducted the master of ceremony on the Program.
P.A.HameedPadubidri, Advocate and Daijiworld Saudi Arabian Correspondent, spoke on the occasion requesting all to view Daijiworld regularly for updated news from Mangalore that will definitely give extensive coverage for the cause. Most of the audience who are regularly viewing Daijiworld appreciated the work of the Website and its new coverage.
The Office-bearers of the Association is provisionally announced in the program and its Inaugural Function will probably be held on 4th July 2008. The names of the office-bearers for 2008-2009 are follows:
President: Vijay RaiVice President: Khasim AhmedGeneral Secretary: Royston PrabhuJoint Secretary: Parvez AliTreasurer: Victor MenezesInternal Auditor: vasudev AminCoordinators: Iftikar AhmedRajesh Kumar SurathkalAravinda Prabhu
Media Coordinator: Adv. P.A.HameedPadubidri

Riyadh: Mangalorean Community to Kick off 'Direct Flight' Campaign

Media Release
Riyadh, Jun 12: A large number of NRIs from the coastal and Western Ghats region of Karnataka, and North Kerala, are engaged in business or employed in Saudi Arabia. Since the commencement of the International Airport at Bajpe, it is a dream of thousands of NRIs who reside in Saudi Arabia to fly directly from Riyadh to their home town Mangalore.
Even though there is a huge population of Mangalorean expatriates living in Riyadh, it is unfortunate that there is no common platform for Mangaloreans to represent their community. With this agenda in mind it is decided to start a separate organization which will represent every community and group and collectively fulfill goals.
Mangalorean community members are planning to meet at Khayyam Restaurant – Hail Wazarat (Hara) Riyadh. Between 4pm and 6 pm on Jun 20, 2008
The primary agenda will be:
To name for the OrganizationSelect office bearersPlan for Direct Flight CampaignOther Welfare Schemes
Community members have urged all residents to rise above caste, language and creed and join hands in this campaign to make the Riyadh –Mangalore direct flight possible.

Land for parallel taxiway at Bajpe Airport notified

The Hindu
MANGALORE June 11: The Government has issued a notification for acquiring 56.46 acres of non-agriculture land at Malavoor village near Bajpe (Mangalore) Airport to build a parallel taxiway at the airport by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The taxiway is the passage in which aircraft move from the runway to the apron (parking area).
M. Maheshwar Rao, Deputy Commissioner, issued the notification on May 20, 2008 under an emergency clause. According to this, non-agriculture lands belonging 20 persons are to be acquired for the purpose.
When contacted Sameer Shukla, Assistant Commissioner, Mangalore Sub-Division, told The Hindu that valuation of property notified will be done by the departments concerned. "We will pass the award as soon as we receive the valuation reports," he said.
"As far as I know there are no habitations in the land proposed for acquisition. Hence, acquisition will not be a problem. But it will be known only after conducting valuation of the property notified," he said. The land will be handed over to the AAI once the process is completed. The AAI will have to fill up a valley there with soil to take up works on the parallel taxiway, he said.
M.R. Vasudeva, director, Mangalore Airport, said that the parallel taxiway proposed to be built will have a length of 583 metres and a width of 38 metres. It will connect the runway with the apron (parking bay) of the new terminal building which is under construction at Kenjar near the airport.
The parallel taxiway is needed in addition to the one connecting the new terminal building.
When there is a parallel taxiway, aircraft can leave the parking bay quickly and the aircraft that lands on the runway can arrive there without delay. This will avoid waiting time of aircraft and enhance the efficiency of the airport, he said.
The number of aircraft movements at the airport went up from 6,268 in 2006-07 to 10,019 in 2007-08. The passenger movement increased from 4.71 lakh passengers to 7.13 passengers during the period, Mr. Vasudeva said

Mangalore Airport Traffic up by 92% : Surpasses Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai

Times of India

Mangalore airport sees phenomenal growth of 92%
Surpasses Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai
Third fastest growing tier-II city
Airport handles 42 international arrivals and departures per week
Handles 28 domestic arrivals and departures per day
Even on cargo front, impressive growth of 39%

Mangalore, May 18: Mangalore has shot to fame as the city’s Bajpe airport has recorded a phenomenal growth in air traffic movement of 92% in February 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
Mangalore Airport's new terminal will have this look when the work is completed.
According to a report on latest air traffic trends issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Mangalore airport has reported the largest growth in south India surpassing metros like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, and is the third fastest growing tier-II city in India after Agartala (95.2%) and Indore (105.9%).
The average national growth in air traffic movement in the country for February ’08 was 18% over the same period in ‘07.
According to the AAI report card, the increase in the number of low-cost airlines and international airlines is fuelling the growth of air traffic in these secondary cities. Bangalore is no more the gateway city to Mangalore, as now airlines operate direct flights from Mumbai and other metro cities. Recently, lowcost carrier Deccan launched a new flight connecting Mangalore to Kochi. National low-cost carrier Air India Express will also be upping its frequency in and out of Mangalore as it adds more flights to the Gulf region as well as metro cities in India.
“As Bangalore gets more and more saturated, emerging regional hubs like Mangalore are going to benefit. Mangalore has traditionally attracted the student and leisure traffic, but of late it’s attracting a lot of business traffic especially from the IT sector, forcing airlines to increase their services,” said Kapil Kaul, CEO (Indian subcontinent & Middle East), Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.
Mangalore saw a 67% growth in domestic air traffic movement in February, in comparison to the national average of 17.4%. At present, the airport handles 42 international arrivals and departures per week and 28 domestic arrivals and departures per day. Incidentally, Bajpe airport is the only airport in the state to operate two runways. The new Bengaluru International Airport will get its second runway only in 2014.
Even on the cargo front Mangalore reported an impressive growth of 39% in the year ended March 30, 2008 over the previous year.

Bajpe airport director M R Vasudeva, said, “More infrastructure facilities had to be added to the arrival terminal due to the increase in operations by domestic and international carriers.”
And this spurt in air traffic has helped the airport record an impressive 950% growth in operating profit for the year ended March 30, 2008. It clocked an operating profit of Rs 9 crore up from Rs 83 lakh reported in the previous fiscal. Total revenue of the airport stood at Rs 19 crore for the year gone by.
And the growth is likely to continue to remain at these starry heights as a new terminal building will be up and running by February 2009.

Mangalore: AAI Completes Work on New Apron at Kenjar

The Hindu
Mangalore, May 1: The Airports Authority of India has completed work on the new apron (parking stand for aircraft) pending shoulder works at Kenjar, near Bajpe airport, where its new terminal building is coming up.
The new apron can accommodate four Airbus 310 type aircraft and one Airbus 321 at a time, M.R. Vasudeva, Director, Mangalore (Bajpe) Airport told The Hindu. "The area of apron is approximately 43,000 square metres. It is ready," he said.
Shoulder works of apron and works on the taxiway connecting the apron with the new concrete runway will be completed in a fortnight. The total cost of the apron, shoulder works and taxi way is Rs. 18.19 crore, he said.
The new apron is part of the works being taken up under the modernisation of Bajpe Airport. Work on the new terminal building is under progress in an area covering 18,000 sq. mts. The total cost of the modernisation project is approximately Rs. 147 crore.
The AAI recently wrote to the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat to hand over Maravoor-Kenjar Road to it. This road connects the new terminal building site (Kenjar) with Mangalore-Bajpe Road at Maravoor.
This 900-mt-long 7.5 mt wide asphalted road is in bad condition. Presently the contractors executing the terminal building works use this road to transport light weight construction material to the site.
"If the State Government hands it over, we will widen this road to 9 metres and strengthen it. It will provide connectivity to the new terminal building from Mangalore city," Mr. Vasudeva said.
When contacted, a senior official at the zilla panchayat who did not want to be named said that the AAI’s request would have to be sent to the government. If the State Government gives its green signal, the road can be handed over.
A decision to this effect probably will be taken after the Assembly elections.
"We have handed over a small stretch of road in front of the Bajpe Airport to the AAI. This road is between entry and exit points outside the compound wall of the existing airport terminal building," he said.

Mangalore - Kuwait Flight by July-end: Chellam Prasad

The Hindu
MANGALORE, Apr 29: Air India Express, the low cost carrier of Air India, will introduce a flight service between Kozhikode and Kuwait via Mangalore before July-end this year.
Chellam Prasad, Mangalore Station Manager, Air India, told The Hindu that this flight would operate three days a week. There had been a demand for such a flight service from the non-resident Indians in West Asia, she added.
Timings
She said that the flight would depart from Mangalore in the evening and arrive here from Kuwait in the morning. The exact timings of arrival and departure were yet to be announced. The flight operations between Mangalore and Kuwait would be via Abudhabi or Muscat, she said.
Since there was no aircraft base station at Mangalore, the flight would depart from Kozhikode. “This is like other flights of Air India Express which operate between Kozhikode and some of the destinations in West Asia,” she said.
Ms. Prasad said that the Air India Express operated 21 flights a week between Mangalore and different destinations in West Asia. The destinations are: Dubai, Abudhabi, Muscat, Bahrain and Doha. “With introduction of a new flight service to Kuwait, the passenger traffic between Mangalore and West Asia is expected to increase,” she added.
She said that the airlines began flight service between Mangalore and West Asia, particularly to Dubai, on October 3, 2006. Other services were introduced subsequently. The airlines handled 16,746 passengers from Mangalore to West Asia in 2006-07 and 75,987 passengers in 2007-08.
Chellam Prasad
Celebrations
In a press release, Ms. Prasad said that the Air India Express (AIE) celebrated its third anniversary of introducing first flight in Mangalore on Monday. The AIE, a wholly owned subsidiary of NACIL, was set up under Air India Charters Ltd. The inaugural flight flew on April 29, 2005 from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to Abu Dhabi, she said.
Commencing its operations with three leased aircraft, the Air India Express fleet now boasts of 18 state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 aircraft, considered to be among the most technologically advanced single-aisle jet aircraft. By the end of 2009, it will have 25 aircraft in its fleet, of which seven would be on lease and 18 owned.

Mangalore: Revenue of Bajpe airport goes up

The Hindu

MANGALORE April 16: A year after it came out of the red, Mangalore airport of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Bajpe made a remarkable operating profit in 2007-08. It made an operating profit 10 times more than what it was in 2006-07.
Its operating profit in 2007-08 stood at Rs. 8.61 crore whereas in 2006-07 it was Rs. 83 lakh, M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport, told The Hindu.
The airport’s revenue and expenditure in the last financial year stood at Rs. 19.50 crore and Rs. 10.89 crore, respectively, he said.
When net profit is worked out by the auditors, it could be slightly lower than the operating profit which did not account for depreciation and rate of return, he added.
He attributed the growth in the operating profit to increase in traffic and non-traffic revenue. Traffic revenue came from aircraft movements in the form of route navigation, landing and parking charges. Non-traffic revenue constituted revenue earned from renting out its terminal building premises to airline operators, from hoardings and display advertisements, snack bar, car park, travel requisite stall, restaurant and the like.
As the number of flight movements went up, the revenue also increased. The number of aircraft movements went up from 6,268 in 2006-07 to 10,019 in the last financial year, he said. The passenger traffic at the airport went up from 4.74 lakh to 7.13 lakh.
The airport had made no profit in the previous five years — from 2001-02 to 2005-06. Its operating loss in 2005-06 stood at Rs. 2.8 crore.
Construction work
Referring to the on-going construction of new terminal building and apron on the premises of the airport, he said 40 per cent of the work had been completed. He said that concrete works of the basement of the building had also been completed. More than 40 per cent of the concrete works of the first floor had been completed.
Some critical construction material for the erection of roof of the building are expected to arrive from Jamshedpur in a few days.
Apron (parking facility for aircraft) works alone had been completed up to 75 per cent. The apron can accommodate five aircraft, four Airbus 310 and one Airbus 321, at a time.
Works on the construction of two aerobridges were under progress. This will enable passengers to board the flight from the security hold area in the first floor. Ground floor would have the offices of AAI, shops, arrival and departure halls. The basement would have check-in counters of airlines, immigration and custom offices, he said.

Change of Timing: Mangalore - Bahrain - Doha Flight

Change of Timing: Mangalore - Bahrain - Doha Flight
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, April 2: In a short but official notice communicated by Chellam Prasad, manager of Air India Mangalore region has informed Daijiworld that the departure timing of Air India Express of Mangalore-Bahrain-Doha from Mangalore airport has been rescheduled from its earlier timing 18.10 hrs to 16.10 hrs with effect from April 3.
The flight will take-off two hours earlier than the existing departure time.
Currently three flights are operating weekly (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) between Mangalore-Doha-Bahrain.
However, there will be no changes in the existing departure timing from Bahrain and Doha.
Prasad requested passengers to cooperate with the new timing

Mangalore: Another flight to Bangalore

MANGALORE March 31: With the Kingfisher Airlines launching another flight between Mangalore and Bangalore on Sunday, the number of daily flights between the two cities has risen to six.
Of them, the Deccan (formerly Air Deccan) operates two flights, Kingfisher Airlines two and Jet Airways two.
The new flight launched by the Kingfisher Airlines departed from Bangalore at 6.30 a.m. and arrived here at 7.30 a.m. It took off from here at 8 a.m. and landed in Bangalore at 8.55 a.m., Kaustav Nath, Mangalore Airport Manager for Kingfisher Airlines Ltd and Deccan, told The Hindu. "The flight will maintain these schedules, henceforth," he said.
Mr. Nath said that the Kingfisher Airlines had changed the schedule of its evening daily flight between the two cities from Sunday. It would be arriving in Mangalore from Bangalore at 4.30 p.m. and departing at 5.10 p.m. "As per the changed schedule, it will depart from Bangalore at 7.30 p.m. and arrive here at 8.30 p.m. It will take off from here at 9 p.m. and reach Bangalore at 9.55 p.m. It is the last flight between the port city and the State capital city," he said.
He said that with the introduction of the early morning and late evening flights between the two cities, passengers could return to their home cities the same day, after completing their work. The timings of two flights of the Deccan between the two cities have also been revised from Sunday.
The first morning flight of the Deccan from Bangalore was hitherto arriving here at 9.20 a.m. and departing at 9.35 a.m. Now it will take off from Bangalore at 9 a.m. and land here at 10 a.m. It will depart from here at 10.25 a.m. and reach Bangalore at 11.25 a.m. Another evening flight operated from Deccan, which was arriving here at 4.55 p.m. and departing at 5.30 p.m., will henceforth depart from Bangalore at 4.30 p.m. and arrive here at 5.30 p.m. It will leave from here at 6 p.m. and reach Bangalore at 7 p.m.
Flight to Goa
Mr. Nath said that the Kingfisher Airlines had revised the schedule of its Kozhikode-Mangalore-Goa flight from Sunday. "It will arrive here from Kozhikode at 1.30 p.m. and depart to Goa at 2 p.m. It will land here from Goa at 4.30 p.m. and take off to Kozhikode at 5 p.m.," he said.
Hindu

Progress & Process: Have a Look at New Terminal of Mangalore Airport

Progress & Process: Have a Look at New Terminal of Mangalore Airport

By Melka Miyar - Daijiworld Media Network

March 18, 2008Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda

Daijiworld Media Network
Work on the new Mangalore International Airport terminal at Kenjar village here is fast gaining momentum and the airport is expected to commence operations on schedule. However, the lethargic attitude and laxity shown by the local authorities has been proving a hurdle for the overall development of the airport and its surrounding areas.

Plans for the new project were actually put on paper in the year 1988. Now the terminal building is under construction and is expected to complete in December this year. Meanwhile, new plans for Calicut International Airport, the nearest airport to Mangalore, began four years later in 1992, and ironically, Calicut's world-class terminal building already started operating even before the same could happen in Mangalore. However, though Mangalore Airport lagged behind, time has come now to boom to a greater height.

The new airport terminal building under construction at Kenjar is expected to commission its work in March 2009, marking another milestone in the history of Mangalore International Airport. The construction work is going on in full swing, and it is easy to perceive from the speed of work that it is bound to complete in time.

There will be 28 check-in counters, several conveyor belts and inline security checking system. Five aerobridges (passage between the terminal and aircraft) will also be introduced.
A whole new world of opportunities opened to Mangaloreans with the commencement of the international airport. In the meantime, work was started to construct new taxiway and terminal building. The dynamism and zeal of present airport director M R Vasudeva has taken this airport to splendid heights in a short span of time. It is indeed a matter of great pride especially to a remote village like Kenjar to have a world-class airport in its vicinity.
Though world-class facilities are available at Calicut International Airport, it lacks domestic connection. But the case of Mangalore Airport is different. Unlike Calicut, Mangalore enjoys air connections with Mumbai, Goa and Bangalore. Therefore, Mangalore has a greater potential in terms of air traffic movement, say experts.
Mangalore is the only city in Karnataka to have such a sophisticated and well-equipped airport with international flights. Though it is tempting to pat ourselves on the back, there is still a long way to go. The construction of the concrete road connecting the city with the airport is moving on at snail's pace and the condition of the present road is pathetic to say the least.
'Most of my energy has gone into acquisition of land for the new terminal. It required a lot of patience to negotiate with the owners of these plots, listen to their pleas and arrange for compensation, thereby avoiding conflicts and protests. I am very happy for what I have achieved for the people of Mangalore. This could have been even better, if all the external agencies andthe local citizens had worked together hand in hand.'
'Now I have to concentrate more on completing the construction work of the new terminal before the scheduled time,' says Vasudeva.

Air Cargo Facility:
Meanwhile, all the possibilities of cargo export should be explored in the coming days. Only perishable goods, printed items and stationeries have been transported from Mangalore Airport to some parts of the country so far. Opportunities are now open at the global level and it is the right time to think about exporting cargo from Mangalore as the present airport at Bajpe will be left idle after the commission of the new airport, if sufficient cargo is not available.
Once the terminal is shifted to the new place, existing terminal will be used exclusively for cargo handling.

Already there are quite a number of leading shipping companies eyeing to set up base in Bajpe surroundings which is definitely a sign of progress. Even Gulf-based freight forward companies are planning to step on to Mangalore soil.

Apart from being used for the movement of cargo, it can be utilized for handling international flights during Haj pilgrimage, Vasudeva said. There is scope for `Flying Club' as well in the future.

Traffic Growth:
The growth in the air traffic in Mangalore also signifies that there is a bright prospect for development if the opportunities are explored strategically. In the year 2005, a total of 3,700 flights were recorded here and the number is expected to touch 8,600 this year. Meanwhile, the 483-meter-long taxiway constructed at a cost of Rs 3.7 crore is also ready for traffic now.
This has ensured more safety to the aircraft while saving fuel and time owing to the flexibility of operation. Also, 30% of the work related to the new integrated terminal building at an estimated cost Rs 147 crore has been completed and 70% of the work on the construction of apron and three remote parking stands is also over. This terminal will also include check-in counters, conveyor belts and inline security.
Moreover, space has been reserved for taxi parking right in front of the terminal building. The parking lot can accomodate a total of 300 taxis at a time. The basement of the terminal building has been reserved for commercial activities like shopping, cafeteria and flight ticketing while the ground floor has been reserved for airport activities. M R Vasudeva is hopeful of completing the basic structure of the terminal building by May this year and realizing the dream by March 2009.
Nevertheless, major responsibilities come later. Other agencies like state government, private investors, road transport owners and even railway department have to think of ways to explore the opportunities created by the new airport.

Flight to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia:
Thousands of NRIs who reside in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are demanding direct flight from Mangalore since the commencement of international airport at Bajpe.
The airport is all set to accept any international flight from Kuwait and Saudi Arabian airports. Nor are there any legal hurdles to commission direct flight between Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Mangalore. But the ball is in Air India Express' court. It is a million dollar question as to when Air India Express will start direct flights between the three places.

Air India Express' Concern:
Since AI Express is a budget airline, it can fly for maximum 4.5 hrs. The distant between Kuwait - Mangalore and Saudi Arabia Airport - Mangalore would be more than its capacity. Unless new aircraft are acquired, Air India Express cannot start direct flights between these territories. However, there are possibilities of connecting Kuwait - Abu Dhabi or Kuwait - Muscat - Mangalore. Air India Express is also facing a crisis regarding pilots and quite a few pilots hired by AI Express are foreigners.
According to sources, Jet Airways is trying hard to enter the Kuwait - Mangalore and Dammam - Mangalore sector, but none of the top officials are confirming this news, but say 'Be positive, we will come there soon.'
Perhaps, once Air India - Indian Airline merger process completes this sector will have a clear way for introducing direct flights.
Until then let us cross our fingers and wait for the D-day.

M'lore: Customer Satisfaction Index of Bajpe Airport Rises

The Hindu
MANGALORE, Jan 29: Even as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has added new infrastructure facilities at Bajpe (Mangalore) airport during the last three years, the customers have ranked this airport high in providing services.
As per a customer satisfaction survey of airports by an agency for the AAI, Mangalore Airport has scored the highest ranking in the customer satisfaction index among domestic airports in South India.
The survey covered different aspects of an airport. It included attitude of AAI employees, the police and other security personnel, cleanliness at the airport and general aesthetics, drinking water facilities, guidance signage, flight information system, audio system and quality of trolley services. It also studied other facilities such as car parking, ATM service, post office, illumination, bookstall and other working conditions at the airport.
The survey by the Delhi-based Spectrum Planning (India) Ltd. has said that the customer satisfaction index of Mangalore airport had gone up from 75 per cent to 81 per cent between early 2007 and late 2007.
The first round of survey was conducted between February and April 2007 and the second between August and October.
Among the domestic airports of AAI in South India, Mangalore airport has scored the highest customer satisfaction index, M.R. Vasudeva, director of Mangalore airport, told The Hindu.
The agency interviewed 653 customers during the survey. Of them, 284 people were departing passengers and 234 arriving.
As many as 110 visitors to the airport, 11 concessionaries such as shopkeepers and employees of restaurants at the airport, personnel of seven aircraft operators and seven regulatory authorities were also interviewed.
Facilities
The AAI had built a new air-conditioned arrival hall and extended its departure hall to handle at least 250 passengers at a time at both the halls, last year. Introduction of round-the-clock air traffic services for over flying aircraft, setting up of category I Instrument Landing System (ILS) facility, laying a concrete runway (second one) in addition to the bituminous old run way, opening the airport for flight services to West Asia, converting the airport to a profit earning entity, and introduction exchange facility (by a private agency) are some of the major developments at the airport in the last three years. Aircraft operators introduced new flight services to Mumbai and Bangalore, including a late evening flight to Bangalore.
New flight services began to Goa, Kochi and Kozhikode.
A state-of-the art integrated terminal building and associated facilities are being built at the airport at an estimated cost of Rs. 147 crores.

Railway station near Bajpe Airport to be pursued with Railways

The Hindu
MANGALORE Jan 25: The Dakshina Kannada district administration will take up the issue of constructing a railway station at Porkodi near Bajpe Airport with the Southern Railway, district in-charge secretary Bharatlal Meena has said. "Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao will write to the railway authorities in this regard soon and the State Government will pursue the matter with them," he added.
Briefing presspersons after reviewing the development activities here on Thursday, Mr. Meena said the meeting had considered a request from Airports Authority of India to acquire 55 acres of land for a parallel taxiway and an additional 80 acres to extend the new runway at Bajpe.
"The State Government will meet the cost of land acquisition," Mr. Meena said and added that he would take up the matter with the Infrastructure Department.
Rangamandira
Stating that contractors had not come forward to bid for the construction of Rangamandira at Kadri, Mr. Meena said, "The last date for submitting the bids is January 28. If the impasse continues, the administration may well entrust the task to Karnataka Land Army Corporation."
The engineering division of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat had extended the last date to submit bids for the project four times.
Vented dam
On the second vented dam at Thumbay to meet the drinking water needs of residents of Mangalore, he said Mr. Rao was in touch with the Urban Development Department in that regard. The Karnataka Power Corporation might be asked to construct the dam with the corporation and State Government sharing its estimated cost of Rs. 40 crore equally.
Action plan would be prepared for the rail over-bridges or under-bridges at various locations, including one each at Padil and Jeppu.
The administration had brought the matter to the notice of the Principal Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Mr. Meena said.
Stating that he would take it up with the Railway Ministry, he expressed confidence about the Ministry clearing the proposals.
The Mangalore Urban Development Authority and Mangalore City Corporation would identify the locations for commercial complexes at Hampankatta, Urwa Stores and Urwa Market, Mr. Meena said.
Drinking water
Mr. Rao said the corporation would shortly float expression of interest for the projects to be taken up on a public-private partnership basis. This would help these bodies earn a regular income through the venture, he said.
Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. had been directed to energise all drinking water projects on priority in view of the impending summer.
In addition, taluks had been told to submit action plans to address water scarcity problem during summer.
Their demands would be projected to the Government for sanctioning additional funds, he said.
Demand for water transportation in certain places through tanker would be considered on priority, he added.
Training for youth
The administration was in touch with the Director of Employment Training to provide vocational education to unemployed youth in the district, Mr. Meena said. "We are contemplating on using the funds from the Ministry of NRI Affairs for training youth who want to work abroad. Steps will be taken to harness the potential of Industrial Training Institutes in providing the training for youth. It will enable the youth to build their career," he added.

M'lore: Setting up of Cargo Terminal at Bajpe Airport in Limbo

Indian Express
MANGALORE, Jan 24: The Mangalore Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Customs department are in a fix over the setting up of a cargo terminal at the Airport.
The AAI has proposed to establish the cargo terminal at the existing airport once the construction of a new terminal near Kenjar completes.
But unless the Customs department utilises provisions under section 8 of Customs Act 1962, AAI will not be able to handle any cargo from Mangalore Airport for international destination.
The ball is now in court of the Customs department and has to declare the airport as Customs Airport for handling of cargo, sources stress.
But the Customs department insists that the AAI has to undertake custodianship for cargo clearance. Incidentally, AAI has no provision to undertake custodianship.
Under `Customs Law Manual’, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is the final authority to approve Cargo Terminal for an airport in India.
Mangalore Airport Director M R Vasudeva told this website that he would discuss the issue with Chief Commissioner of Customs, Heera Radhakrishnan, who will be in the city to participate in the International Customs Day celebrations.
Many agencies, he informed, had come forward to undertake the cargo handling agency in the Mangalore Airport. The cargo terminal would be functional once an approval is obtained from Customs, Vasudev added.
Unless the Customs department declares Mangalore airport as `customs aerodrome’ that handles cargo, tenders cannot be invited. Hence, clearance from the Customs department is awaited for the realisation of the project.
Meanwhile, Customs faces an acute shortage of staff to manage the cargo terminal duty.

Big increase in air passenger traffic in 2007

Raviprasad Kamila
6.75 lakh passengers used the airport last year

MANGALORE: Bajpe (Mangalore) Airport of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received a shot in the arm as the passenger traffic at the airport increased by 2.35 lakh in 2007. This was the first time ever that the passenger traffic increased so hugely in one year.
In all, 6.75 lakh passengers used this airport between January and December 2007 compared to 4.39 lakh passengers in 2006. M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport, attributed the growth in traffic to increase in the number of international and domestic flights last year. Of those who travelled through the airport last year, 20 per cent were international passengers, he said.
Of the passenger traffic handled by the airport last year, 5.36 lakh were domestic passengers and 1.38 lakh international passengers.
According to a study, the number of passengers who arrived at the airport in 2007 was 3.35 lakh against 2.13 lakh in the previous year. As many as 3.39 lakh passengers flew from here in 2007 against 2.26 lakh in 2006. Mr. Vasudeva said: “This may be because passengers from West Asia fly directly to Mangalore from places such as Dubai, Abudhabi, Muscat and Bahrain. While returning, some of them fly through Mumbai. “This is one of the reasons for more number of arrivals,” he said.A study of annual passenger traffic between 1998 and 2007 reveals that the number of passengers arriving at the airport was always more than those flying back from here. For example, in 1998, 1.15 lakh passengers arrived and 1.05 lakh passengers departed from here. In 2004, 1.36 lakh arrived and 1.27 lakh departed, and in 2005, 1.43 lakh arrived and 1.33 lakh departed from the airport.Morning flight soon
Sources at the airport said that a private operator who had planned to operate a late evening flight between Mangalore and Bangalore had dropped the proposal. Instead, the same operator was planning to introduce an early morning flight between the two cities.

Mangalore: State Government Recommends Intl Status for Bajpe Airport

Mangalore: State Government Recommends Intl Status for Bajpe Airport
The Hindu
MANGALORE, Dec 3 2009 : Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao said here on Monday that the State Government will take steps to send a proposal to the Union Government recommending international airport status to Mangalore airport. Mangalore airport is a domestic customs airport.
He was replying to queries from presspersons at Kenjar where the Airports Authority of India is building an integrated terminal building for Mangalore airport. Earlier, Rao inspected ongoing work at the terminal building.
Rao said that he was not aware of the fact that the State Government was yet to send the proposal to the Union Government. “I will take it up with the Civil Aviation Secretary after completing the formalities,” he said.
About the slow pace of work to lay a road to the new terminal building by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, he said: “We will take care of it.”
Rao said that the airport officials too had brought this to his notice. They told him that the new terminal building was expected to be ready by February next. If the connecting road was not ready by then, it will create problem.
The Chief Secretary said that he was aware of the importance of road connectivity to the new terminal building as a similar situation existed in Bangalore before the international airport at Devanahalli was inaugurated.
M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport, briefed him about the ongoing work. The director said that about 70 per cent of the work had been completed.
Meantime, Daijiworld has learnt from reliable sources, that the transfer of the airport director Vasudeva Rao has been temporarily put on hold. Rao is expected to continue as the director without promotion, till the new airport terminal becomes operational.
It may be recalled, that Vasudeva Rao was promoted as the general manager and posted to Coimbatore International Airport sometime back.

AAI studies feasibility of runway expansion

The Hindu -Raviprasad Kamila
Bajpe airport cannot accommodate large planes such as the Airbus 300 and the Boeing 747SP

MANGALORE 26 Dec : Will Bajpe (Mangalore) airport of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) be able to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus 300 and the Boeing 747SP in the near future? Presently it is not possible as the existing main runway has to be expanded if those aircraft are to be operated. But it is not a Herculean task, provided the State Government takes immediate measures to fill up a 75-ft valley on the eastern and western sides of the main runway and hands over the land to the AAI. The AAI is keen on expanding the runway, and a team of senior AAI officials, headed by Asha Ram, Executive Director, Aviation Safety, AAI, Delhi, arrived here on Wednesday to study the proposal and make an analysis of the risks involved. The team members discussed the aspects related to it with M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport, pilots and other section heads at the airport. Though the AAI has taken the initiative to expand the runway, the State Government has to ensure that the valley is filled up and the land handed over the AAI.
Sources in the AAI said that at present the length of the main runway is 2,450 metres. Its length had to be extended at least by 350 metres to take the total length to 2,800 metres and more. The portion on the eastern side of the runway had to be extended by 250 metres and the one on the western side by 100 metres.
To operate the Boeing 747SP, the length of the runway should be 2,710 metres. The Airbus 330-200 requires a runway length of 2,700 metres. These larger aircraft could take off with a restricted load of 340 tonnes. The Bajpe airport now handles aircraft such as the Airbus 310 and the Boeing 737, which can take off with a load of 165 tonnes. Cargo flights and larger passenger planes can operate from here if the length of the runway is extended. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ram said that the Area Control Centre at the Bajpe airport started providing air traffic services for 24 hours to over flying flights two years ago. This was an important milestone in the development of the airport and safety aspects of aircraft. With this, pilots could fly with more confidence and safety. These air traffic services could be availed of even up to Mumbai. Earlier, the services were restricted to 13 hours. Earlier, Mr. Ram inaugurated the expanded departure hall at the airport which can accommodate 250 passengers at a time.

Mangalore: Deccan Aviation to Start International Flight from Bajpe Next Year

Mangalore: Deccan Aviation to Start International Flight from Bajpe Next Year
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/NR)Pic - Ganesh S Perla
Mangalore, Nov 17: The Deccan Aviation Company will be starting an international flight from Mangalore international airport in 2008, informed Captain G R Gopinath, executive chairman of the company.
Delivering a talk on the topic ‘Opportunities and challenges in aviation industry,’ at Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) office here on Friday November 16 evening, he disclosed the above information. However, he did not say anything about the destination point.
Going back to his earlier days of struggle, he said that, when he had left the defence services, he had just Rs 6,380 which he got as gratuity. He also mentioned about how much he had to struggle in his life after that point. However, he firmly opined that one’s goals could be achieved if a person has commitment, passion and clear vision.
In his speech Captain Gopinath observed that he found billions of hungry consumers around him and he often thought about them. According to him the men on the street are regularly purchasing TV, fridge and other consumer items. However, when it comes to air tickets they were not buying any air ticket, owing to exorbitant rates. Hence, he thought of introducing this cheapest air service especially for the middle class people, he pointed out.
“Linking small towns to big capital cities is essential to increase the total air traffic segment. It is for this reason Deccan then introduced air services to smaller towns. With this in view, Deccan purchased several aircrafts within a few years what Indian Airlines could achieve in 50 years,” he proudly declared.
India and China are representing the dreams and future prospects of the world. India is today within range of such infinite possibilities. The country too is aspiring for such possibilities and this in turn has helped Deccan to achieve a lot to a large extent. Hence in this context he proudly predicted that the country is heading for a “Golden Age”
On the occasion Gopinath was felicitated by Ananthakrishna, chairman of Karnataka Bank, on behalf of KCCI. Ananthakrishna said that a person who takes unconventional decisions is always a successful person. According to him, Captain Gopinath took such unconventional decisions and achieved success in his work. He ensured that, a person from the agricultural field also can fly in aircraft. Nowhere in any other part of the country this kind of attempt has been made, Ananthakrisha eulogized about Captain Gopinath.
KCCI president Kumble Narasinha Prabhu, office-bearers Ahmed Bava, Shrinivas S Kamath, Shekhar Poojary and Mohandas Prabhu were present on the dais.

Mangalore: Non Arrival of Flight Irks Passengers at Bajpe Airport

Mangalore: Non-arrival of Flight Irks Passengers at Bajpe Airport
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD/NR)
Mangalore, Nov 13: Due to the non-arrival of the flight, passengers of Mangalore-Dubai flight vented out their ire against the Air India Express staff at Bajpe airport here on Monday, November 12.
For some time there was a tense situation prevailing at the air port premises. However the authorities concerned including the airport director M R Vasudeva quickly took matters in hand and intervened, thereby bringing the tense situation under control.
Vasudeva informed about the reason for delay in the said flight. According to him the flight was scheduled to arrive at 11:15 am from Calicut and expected to leave for Dubai at 12:00 pm, but then it was held up in Abu Dhabi following a technical snag. Hence this rendered the pilot helpless to remedy the situation.
As regards the delay in the flight arrival, this matter was informed to a few passengers but the remaining 75 passengers were not informed that the flight will not be arriving on Monday, leaving them in a lurch.
Vasudeva clarified that the authorities concerned had made all necessary arrangements for the passengers to stay in a hotel and had also paid a sum of Rs 1000 each to the uninformed 75 passengers as compensation.
However, the major grouse of the passengers was that they were not informed in advance, thereby causing a great deal of inconvenience for them.