The Hindu Business Line : Air India Express plans flights from Mangalore to Gulf

Operation of flights to international destinations, especially to West Asian countries, is one of the major demands of Mangaloreans working in those countries and the trade industry bodies here.

Mangalore , Feb. 4

THE long-pending demand of the people of Mangalore to have direct flights to West Asian countries is likely to materialise soon with Air India Express — the budget carrier of Air India - planning to operate a flight from Mangalore.

Air India Express may operate a direct flight to Sharjah from Mangalore by May, provided the required facilities such as Customs and immigration counters are ready at the airport by that time.

Sources told Business Line that Air India Express might operate a flight on Thiruvanathapuram-Mangalore-Sharjah route from May 7, if these and other required facilities are in place at the airport by then.

A seven-member team of Air India visited the Mangalore airport on Saturday for a preliminary inspection.

Operation of flights to international destinations, especially to West Asian countries, is one of the major demands of Mangaloreans working in those countries and the trade industry bodies here. Their argument is that a direct flight from Mangalore to West Asian countries will bring down the cost and time of travel. Many people from coastal Karnataka and Kasaragod and Kannur districts of Kerala, who work in various West Asian countries, prefer Mangalore airport for their travel.

All these years, the airport was not in a position to handle flights to international destinations due to lack of facilities. With the likely commissioning of the second runway at Mangalore airport by April this year, the airport will be in a position to handle wide-bodied aircraft. By then, night-landing facility will also be in place.