Pvt airlines keen on Mangalore - Kuwait sector as AIE suspends flights

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 14: Air India Express has officially suspended its direct flight service between Mangalore - Kuwait from Thursday, February 13. Indications were given by the Air India Express officials in Mumbai that operation had to be suspended due to the fact that AI Express was withdrawing its four leased aircrafts due to contract expiry, and also because the Mangalore - Kuwait sector was not profitable.

"Though suspension of Kuwait - Mangalore flights was in the pipeline, we did not confirm officially until recently, because efforts were always on to continue the flights, at least two per week instead of existing three per week, but shortage of aircraft put us in the backseat," said AI official in Mumbai, speaking exclusively to daijiworld.

"If we get a new aircraft, flight service could be restored from next season," he assured.

Meantime, two private airlines are understood to be doing the ground study to get permission for Mangalore - Kuwait flight. An airline official who requested not to quote the airline said that there is a possibility of operating daily flights for Mangalore - Kuwait sector, but looking at the current traffic data, the idea of starting daily flights is not feasible. But the airline is seriously considering starting its Mangalore - Kuwait operations from May 2014.

Meanwhile, angered by the suspension of the flights, coastal-based organisations in Kuwait have approached the civil aviation ministry, and also the state ministers from coastal regions to seek support for their movement.