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Doha-Bahrain-Mangalore Direct Flight for Final Approval
According to reliable sources from Air India Express in Qatar, the direct flights from Doha to Mangalore will start flying tentatively on March 25th 2007, on Sundays and Tuesdays of every week. On Sundays, the flight will fly from Doha International Airport around 13.45 hours directly into Mangalore Airport. It will land in Mangalore Airport at 7.45 PM (IST). This flight will return back to Doha via Bahrain after one hour ground time at Mangalore. On Tuesdays, Air India Express will fly from Doha via Bahrain into Mangalore airport and will fly directly back to Doha International Airport.
Although the days of the flight are confirmed by reliable sources at Air India Express in Qatar, the flight schedules are yet to be officially announced.
Mangaloreans can very soon fly directly to their destination (or much closer to their destination) within the next couple of days. "Our dream will come true and our efforts have given fruitful result" expressed a prominent member of the Karnataka Expatriate Community, Mr. Iqbal Manna.
Tulu Koota Qatar President Mr. Divakar Poojary, KMCA President Mr. Syed Abdul Hye, Dakshina Kannada Sunni Center President Mr. Abdulla Mono have lauded all efforts to get this flight and have voiced their appreciation for all the support and encouragement initiated by the officials of Air Indian Express, Civil Aviation Authorities, local political leaders and the concerned Government authorities.
The mood of the Mangalorean community in Qatar is noticeable everywhere and this has become the talk of the town. Several families are looking forward to flying directly to Mangalore during their children’s forthcoming annual vacation which starts on 1st July 2007 upto 31st August 2007.
There are also concerns from a few expatriate communities hailing from Kasaragod/Kundapur and Bhatkal area that the timing may be inconvenient as the flight lands late in the evening, which could cause inconvenience and insecurity especially to families to reach their final destination during the midnight hours. Suggestions have also been made by a few expatriate community members to arrange one such flight on Thursday (Weekends) or Friday from Qatar which could add one bonus holiday to their vacation days.
Since the proposal to fly Mangalore by Air Indian Express is at the table of the Civil Aviation Authorities for the final approval, the anxiety among the enthusiastic Mangalorean Community intensifies to make sure that their chance to fly comes first.
(mangalorean.com)
'Indian' Air Bus 320 Lands In Mangalore Airport
07 February 2007
The first airbus 320 of 'Indian' airlines landed in Mangalore airport today 7 Feb 2007, morning at 11.53am. Although the capacity of this aircraft is 146, the flight carrying 81 passengers arrived here. A 'pooja' was performed for the aircraft soon after it landed.
Executive Director, West Region Mumbai, of 'Indian' expressed his joy over the landing of this flight, "we are happy though the first launch was delayed until now", he said.
Captain Tony Davis addressing the media persons expressed his happiness over the runway, "I am really happy to land here. It was the vision of Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru to dedicate a state of the art infrastructure to our great nation and to the National carrier. I humbly state that we have fulfilled his vision", he said.
"Mangalore has been on the network map of our airline for half a century now. We started in our own humble way with smaller aircrafts and with the development of the air field, we have brought Mangalore on the jet engine era. Today, on this auspicious 'muhurta' day we commence our operations with our mainstay work – with the versatile Airbus Boeing 320.
“It is to everyone’s pride that in spite of all the major metros, Mangalore is the second banking city in India, much ahead of major cities. The place also has the highest number of holy shrines in and around. This district has been adorned and described in the devotional songs and music that is the soul of India. We are proud to serve you.", he continued to say.
He went on to say "Indian airlines have always been attuned to the needs of the customer. We have your priorities safe and economic transportation uppermost in our minds. We have never compromised on safety. We also offer the best fares while keeping in mind the preferred destinations of the people of Mangalore. Highlights of our inaugural offer are-
MANGALORE—MUBAI RS.2425-ONWARDS
MANGALORE---SHARJAH ONE WAY RS 4420 PLUS TAXES.
MANGALORE—SHARJAH RETURN RS 9070 PLUS TAXES.
MANGALORE—DUBAI RS 6045 PLUS TAXES.
MANGALORE---DUBAI RS 12090 PLUS TAXES.
OUR BUSINESS CLASS FARE TO DUBAI 10,230+TAXES.
THIS IS CHEAPER THAN THE FARE TO MUMBAI-10,890.
Airport director Mr. Vasudevan, Captain Tony Davis area marketing manager Nagesh Shetty were also present at the press meet.
Airport director Mr. Vasudeva mentioned that on February 15th Muscat flight will be landing here. From March 1st, Dubai flight will fly 6 days in a week except Thursday.
"In January this year 678 aircrafts and 48,137 passenger movement has been recorded here. Only thing is here primary infrastructure is not completed . So I am requesting the passenger to kindly co-operate and welcome the new flights." he said. He requested the media to kindly support the introduction of these new international flights.
(mangalorean.com & daijiworld.com)
Direct flights of Air India Express From Kuwait to Mangalore by June?
06 February 2007
There is a ray of hope for the NRI's of Karnataka who are making relentless efforts through United Associations of Karnataka to have a direct flight to Mangalore and Bangalore from Kuwait. The commencement of direct flights from Dubai and soon to start flights from Abudhabi/Musact has given a clear indication that start of Air India express flights from Kuwait to Mangalore is not far away.
UAKK office bearers in their continuous efforts to keep the pressure on, met Hon. Minister of State for External Affairs Sri E. Ahmed during his recent visit to Kuwait and submitted a memorandum to expedite the commencement of direct flights by Air India Express to Mangalore and Bangalore. UAKK members also explained the efforts made by the community and appeals submitted to all officials concerned including to Aviation Minister Sri. Praful Patel and to Prime Ministers office.
Sri. E Ahmed informed the members that he is well aware of this issue and assured that as soon as Air India Express resolves the crunch of Aircrafts, flights will soon start from Kuwait. He requested the community leaders to be patient as it is just a matter of time. He was surprised to hear that there is still no direct flight from Kuwait to Bangalore.
The memorandum was also copied to Sri Tulsidas, Chairman of Air India, Sri P.P. Singh CEO of Air India and Rishikanth Singh, Country Manager for Kuwait and Cyprus Air India, Kuwait.
On receiving the copy of the memorandum, Sri. Rishikanth Sigh, Air India Country Manager for Cyprus and Kuwait, explained his own efforts in impressing upon the Aviation and Air India officials to start direct flights to Mangalore and showed copies of the related correspondence to the visiting office bearers of UAKK. He said that the commercial viability of Kuwait/Mangalore/Bangalore sector is well known to Air India for some time but somehow the flights could not materialize due to priorities given to other sectors. He did not elaborate further. He confidently said as soon as Aircrafts are available Kuwait Mangalore flight will start immediately. On pressurizing for a probable time frame he said that flights most likely tol start from May / June 2007.
UAKK also got assurances from officials of Indian Airlines that there is every possibility of start of flights to Mangalore Via Sharjah. in the month of September/October period. It need to be noted that the local low budget Airline Jazeera Airlines had shown its willingness to start flights to Mangalore but is waiting for clearance from Indian Aviation Ministry.
The NRI's from Kuwait are hoping that their dreams of flying directly to Mangalore will come true before the start of the summer holidays and the nightmare of flying Via Bombay be averted once for all.
(mangalorean.com)
Muscat Air India Office Announces Official Press Release
Air India Express office in Muscat today officially announced that they have received approval from the office of the Director General of Civil Aviation Oman. The Press Release from the Air India Express Country Manager in Oman Mrs. S. Pancharatnam, was received by Mangalorean.com today.
With this official release Mangaloreans in Oman are assured that there will not be any more hurdles for the commencement of the maiden flight from Muscat to Mangalore on February 15, 2007.
The Press Release reads:
Air India Express Takes Off To Mangalore
Air India has added yet another accomplishment to its glorious history in its entry into 75 years of operations by introducing the Muscat to Mangalore flights by its budget airline Air India Express. The Indian National carrier's development and progress is a significant achievement for Indian Aviation.
The expansion and growth of Air India, the flagship carrier of India, is continuing with its fleet expansion plan taking a firm shape. AirIndia placed the largest commercial airplane order in India's civil aviation history in December 2005. Air India plans to induct 50 new aircrafts in its fleet comprising the ultra long range B777-200 LR, 777-300 ER and the 787 Dreamliner. In addition another firm order of 18, B 737-800 are in place.
Air India has been awarded with the 'Best International West Bound Airline out of India' for the second consecutive year by Galileo Express Travel World Awards 2006 in New Delhi. The Special Category Award recognizes the Most Significant Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative (CSR) taken by an organization. Air-India has been ranked first as per total income in the aviation sector in the 2006 edition of the acclaimed publication 'India's top 500 companies.'
Air India commenced operations to Muscat on February 12, 1974 with a weekly service operated on the Mumbai-Muscat-Dubai-Kuwait route in the westbound direction and Bahrain-Muscat-Mumbai in the eastbound direction. The airline presently operates thrice-weekly flights each between Mumbai and Muscat, and Delhi and Muscat, via Abu Dhabi, with Airbus 310s aircraft.
Air India Express, the budget airline, has presently 55 flights out of Kerala to various destinations in the Gulf. It has a fleet of nine aircrafts and is planning to induct 18 new state-of-the-art 737-800 Boeing aircrafts. Air India Express started its operation in April 2005 and within a year, we have recorded impressive profits. A large group of customers today are demanding low cost international flights; hence expanding the network is the best solution to tap this growing market.
Air India Express began operations to Muscat on 9th May 2005, the 50th Year of diplomatic ties between India and the Sultanate of Oman. Air India Express currently operates six weekly services between Oman and India - five to Muscat from three Indian stations, viz. Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram; and one between Salalah and Kozhikode. Incidentally, Air India Express is the only airline which operates flights between Salalah and Kerala.
Air-India Express is proud to announce commencement of their flights from Muscat to Mangalore, a dream awaited by the Mangalorean community effective 15th February 2007 on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Since commencement of Air-India Express, there is never a dull moment since all the flights are doing well and propose to enhance its operations in future with a twice a week flight from Salalah.
M'lore bids adieu to senior leader UT Fareed
Present Ullal MLA and senior Congress leader, U.T. Fareed passed away today 6 Feb 2007 early morning after a prolonged Illness.
U.T. Fareed was admitted to Omega hospital in the city and was on life support for the past 4 days.
U.T. Fareed was born on 18 Aug 1938, and was well known in Mangalore for his social work and leadership in various capacities.
He started his career as a distinguished lawyer in 1964, and continued in the same profession until he was elected as a MLA from Ullal in 1972. Fareed had won from Ullal in 1972 and 1977 and had to wait for long before representing it again in 1999. He retained his seat from constituency again in the elections in 2004.
He also served as a vice president of INTUC, President of Karnataka Youth Congress, Director of Apex Bank, Director of SCDCC Bank, President of Lidkar Leather Emporium.
On behalf of the Govt, District In-charge minister Nagaraj Shetty paid the final tributes to Fareed's body at his residence. He was cremated in the evening with state honours in Ullal.
U.T. Fareed is survived by 5 children.
(mangalorean.com)
Ore exported to China through Mangalore port
The New Mangalore Port has exported 49,064 tonnes of iron ore fines on behalf of Sesa Goa, an iron ore exporter in India, through vessel M.V. Aegean Falcon. The consignment brought from Chitradurga mines on rail is bound for China. This is the maiden consignment of the exporter being dispatched through the port, according to a release from S. Gopalakrishna, traffic manager, New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), here on Thursday.
The port handled a record traffic of 8.48 lakh tonnes of fertilizers, a growth of 57 per cent; 7.70 lakh tonnes of coal, a growth of 99 per cent; and 14,804 twenty-foot equivalent units of containers, a growth of 74 per cent during the current fiscal up to January 2007, the release said.
(thehindu)
Airbus 321 lands at Bajpe
01 February 2007
Bajpe airport for the first time handled an Airbus 321, considered to be the biggest aircraft in the domestic civil aviation sector in the country, on Wednesday.
The aircraft was operated by Kingfisher airlines. The airbus from Mumbai landed on the new runway of the airport at 3 p.m. The aircraft took off to Mumbai later.
Kingfisher airlines was the first airline operator to land an Airbus 319 and an Airbus 320 at Bajpe airport last year.
(thehindu)
Traffic diversion from today
The first phase of widening and concreting work of the road from Ambedkar Circle up to Hampankatte on the Mahavir Circle-Hampankatte stretch will begin on Thursday. The District Magistrate has banned the movement of all types of vehicles on the stretch where the work will be taken up till March 31, according to a press release from B. Dayananda, Superintendent of Police, here on Wednesday.
Buses and light goods vehicle proceeding from State Bank terminus towards Hampankatte, including buses proceeding towards Falnir, should reach Ambedkar Circle via Light House Hill Road and proceed further. Buses and light goods vehicle going towards State Bank terminus from Lalbagh should turn right at PVS junction, proceed along K.S. Rao Road, turn right at Hampankatte junction and move towards State Bank.
All buses and light goods vehicle proceeding towards State Bank from Mallikatte, Nanthoor via Bunts Hostel junction should proceed towards PVS junction and to State Bank. Vehicles proceeding towards State Bank from Mallikatte, Nanthoor via St. Agnes College should go towards Bendorewell and to State Bank via Karavali-Kankanady Circle on Falnir Road, reach Hampankatte and proceed further. Vehicles coming to the city from Mahavir Circle and Valencia should go towards Karavali-Kankanady Circle and towards State Bank on Falnir Road, reach Hampankatte and proceed further. Movement of all vehicles on Falnir Road from Hampankatte towards Kankanady will be stopped during this time. Vehicles going towards Light House Hill Road from Falnir Road should go up to old clock tower, take a u-turn and then proceed towards Light House Hill Road, the release said.
(thehindu)
Bajpe airport to have e-payment facility soon
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has declared 2007 as the year of e-governance. The AAI in association with Syndicate Bank will implement the e-payment facility at Bajpe airport, here, in the next two months, said Durga Shanker Mishra, Chief Vigilance Officer, AAI, on Wednesday.
He was speaking to presspersons at the airport on the sidelines of a function organised to present the national "Best fire station award for 2004" to Bajpe airport.
The airport bagged the award for category five, six and seven fire tender services.
Mr. Mishra said that the AAI would make the best use of information technology (IT) in governing its airports in the country from this year. Once the e-payment facility was introduced at Bajpe airport it would help passengers, airline operators, contractors and pilots, he said.
Though the bank had its unit at the airport there was no e-payment facility. It would be introduced in the next two months, he added.
Mr. Mishra said that the passenger traffic at the airport recorded 60 per cent growth last year. More flights were likely to operate from the airport in the next a few months, he said. Construction of a new terminal building to be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 147 crore would start soon. The construction of a new arrival hall and a canopy was under progress. The airport had two runways, he said. Mr. Mishra presented the trophy to M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport. He also presented the ISO 14,001: 2004 certificate for "quality environment management" at the airport, to Mr. Vasudeva. He said that aviation sector in the country was booming, and air travel would become accessible to common man in the near future.
(thehindu)
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