Mangalore: Airport officials blamed for runway, Kuwait flight issues, director denies charges



Shreyas H S
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Dajiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, May 5: The expiry of lease on flights borrowed by Air India Express has hit its operation from Mangalore International Airport. All the flights on Kuwait-Mangalore-Kozhikode route have stopped operating since March 2014.

The airport was upgraded to international status conceding to the demands of those who frequently fly to GCC countries like Kuwait and the UAE. The Kuwait-Mangalore-Kozhikode route had in fact minimized flying time to four hours from 12-13 hours. The cancellation of the flight has forced the passengers to fly from Mumbai as before.


Addressing a press meet here on Monday May 5, KPCC general secretary Ivan D'Souza said that there had been an undue delay in extending the airport runway and that a lobby of Kerala officials was hand in glove with the civil aviation department in cancellation of Mangalore-Kuwait Air India Express operations. Blaming the airport officials for both the issues, he said the cargo terminal which was supposed to do a business of Rs one lac a month was fetching only Rs 30,000 now, as Air India was not lifting the cargo as it should. He blamed the airport officials for failing to convince Air India in this matter.

Speaking to daijiworld on the cancellation of AI Express flight to Kuwait, businessman Robert Monteiro said, "The dedicated efforts of people who commute frequently from India to Dubai or Kuwait was instrumental in the airport's upgradation." The number of flights traversing in this route had been slowly cut down since January. Air India stopped its operation to Kuwait completely from March. 

"We have to board a flight to Mumbai and then have to travel to another airport there to catch a flight to Kuwait. This break between flights means it takes 12-13 hours to reach Kuwait," Monteiro said.

"The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has shown apathy towards this issue that has caused inconvenience to the passengers. The Kuwait commuters conveyed their problem to the airport director but no initiative has been taken till date," he added.

J T Radhakrishna, airport director speaking to daijworld said that AI Express had to stop the operation has its lease on borrowed flights had expired. "I spoke to the chief executive of AI on the disruption of flights, and he said that a new deal would be finalized to take flights on lease in a few months. This is not the fault of airport officials as alleged by some. I have done everything possible within my power to sort out the problem."

Further speaking on the allegations leveled by Ivan D'souza about the delay in setting extending the runway, he said talks are on in this regard. "Union minster Veerappa Moily has written a letter to the Airport Authority of India. The AAI has forwarded this message to infrastructure department. The letter stated that 285 acres of additional land was required to extend the runway," he said.

"The loss incurred to the cargo service is because AI is not lifting the cargos. The allegation that airport officials were responsible for the loss is baseless. Currently, only Jet airways is lifting the goods. While it was expected to garner Rs 1 lac per month, the income has stayed around Rs 30,000," he added. for the cargo section, he said.
  

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Comment on this article

  • mohammed aslam, mangalore

    Wed, May 07 2014

    mr.ilyas i thought u r a builder,but ur doing social work its great yaar,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • vicky, mangalore/dubai

    Tue, May 06 2014

    Once the Kannur airport will ready....then they will reduce the GCC flights to mangalore airport...wake up congi leaders....especially Veerapa moily & Oscar Fernandes.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Tue, May 06 2014



    Jecinta M.E.


    Kya baath hai !

    Very reasonable, sensible and justifiable comments.

    Thanks.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Tue, May 06 2014

    Kerala is far better than us bcoz keralites they ve a unity and they r united..see us in karnataka..Reddys n chaddys,Naidu & babus from andra narayanan & karthikeyans from madras etc.ruling in karnataka..eg.bellary, bangalore whos there full of neighboring states ppl are ruling..evem ministers from native states are ruling karnataks shame on us.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hasan Yusuf, MANGALORE - KUWAIT

    Tue, May 06 2014

    We Demand Restoration of KUWAIT - MANGALORE Flight Services with immediate effect.

    Glimpses of UAKK - Kuwait Follow Ups:

    Air India Express disappoints Kuwait – Mangalore Commuters:
    Kuwait, 30th Dec. 2013: Air India Express has put passengers into trouble by wrapping up its flight services to Kuwait-Mangalore route in coming year from February 15, hitching the travel plans of commuters into a clutter.
    Coastal Karnataka NRIs in Kuwait have expressed their dilemma with such decision by Air India Express, where travel woes of Indian expats in Kuwait are surely going to worsen in the coming days particularly in summer vacation in next year during month of June. An umbrella forum the United Associations of Karnataka, Kuwait (UAKK) has immediately urged the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to instruct Air India Express to retain the regular flight services to Kuwait – Mangalore sector, which is only direct travelling option to Mangalore for thousands of expats from coastal Karnataka and northern parts of Kerala region.

    UAKK has also urged ministry of civil aviation to consider granting permission to other airlines such as Jet airways to operate in this segment so that passengers will have more than one travelling option to Mangalore and Kerala. Ajay Sinha, country manager of Air India Express in Kuwait submitted a copy of memorandum to union minister for civil aviation who will look after this issue in order to work out intricacy of fret commuters. Meanwhile, Jet airways have shown interest in the segment to commence its flight services from Kuwait to Mangalore via Abu Dhabi.

    Besides, the work will be seen in the progress once the traffic rights and formalities are sorted out.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hasan Yusuf, MANGALOE - KUWAIT

    Tue, May 06 2014

    Coastal Karnataka NRIs in Kuwait are disappointed with the step motherly policies of AVIATION MINISTRY of India.

    Wrapping up of Flight Services to KUWAIT - MANGALORE Sector was NOT A FAIR DECISION.

    We DENOUNCE the step motherly policies towards MANGALORE.

    We, more than 130,000 NRIs from Coastal Karnataka and Northern parts of Kerala demand that the AVIATION MINISTRY of India has to RESTORE KUWAIT - MANGALORE Flight Services immediately on TOP PRIORITY BASIS. Aviation Ministry can give the landing permission to the Airlines like JET AIRWAYS, Ithihad Aiways, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai etc.

    United Associations of Karnataka (UAKK), an Umbrella Organization of 12 Karnataka State Associations in Kuwait has been intensifying the struggle and has been pressurizing the matter with the following authorities:

    1) Shri Ajit Singh, Aviation Ministry of India.
    2) State Aviation Minister Shri Venu Gopalan.
    3) Jet Airways Management
    4) Air India Express Management.
    5) Shri M. Veerappa Moily
    6) Shri Oscar Fernandes
    7) Shri Jayaprakash Hegde
    8) The four Ministers from Coastal Karnataka i.e. Shri Ramanath Rai, Shri U.T. Khader, Shri Vinay Kumar Sorake and Shri Abhay Chandra Jain
    9) Ambassador of India in Kuwait

    Still the response is not satisfactory.

    Definitely Aviation Ministry has a Social Obligation towards thousands of NRI passengers by restoring the Flight services to KUWAIT - MANGALORE Sector.

    We Demand Restoration of KUWAIT - MANGALORE Flight Services with immediate effect.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. Shankarnarayan, Abu Dhabi/ Mangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    I fully agree with you. In every aspect a stepmother attitude is shown towards Mangalore whether it is an airport or railway service. The maximum number of airports in Kerala and maximum number of trains run in the state. Yeshwanthpur- Mangalore train extended upto Kannur. Reservation quota to Karnataka is reduced etc.etc

    DisAgree [3] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, Mangalore Kuwait

    Mon, May 05 2014

    thanks Mr. Ivan D Souza & Mr. Elyas Santis atleast trying kindly keep on reminding the officials as long as they start flights to mangalore-kuwait-mangalore

    DisAgree [6] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • thomas, india

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Mangalore should have flights for every Destination in the middle east ..why not.
    Which comes first ?
    egg or the chick.so provide facilities ..infra then the chick will follow....
    this is not nuclear science ..stop talking start acting..now..
    work also on Cargo flights..there is more money out there.
    no more room for politics or bureaucracy..demand is rising cater to the demand well..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • jacintha, middle east

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Keralites definitely have a huge/deep hand in the cancellation of KW/IXE flights. They have 4 airports for such a small state and all are operating to all middle east countries. Flights can be leased for them and not for mangalore, doesn't make sense.

    One should log into the Indian Railways website and see how they have personalized southern railway to their states, districts, taluks and villages. Hats off to them for their fluency/mastery in manipulation of either data/decisions.
    I think for them, they, theirs,themselves is justice. The whole world should accommodate them, but they accommodate none.

    Not fair, but for that, one must have a fair conscience. And, fair conscience doesn't lead to material success :) Amen

    DisAgree [1] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Mon, May 05 2014

    India will have powerful AVIATION MINISTER in 15 days from now. Please hold your breath till then.

    DisAgree [55] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dionysius D'Sa, Mangalore/Riyadh

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Past 10 years under Congress regime, it is always Kerala in a win win situation and Karnataka on the losing side, be it Railway or Airways.May be next regime will bring luck to Mangaloreans.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Why blame the Kerala lobby when you guys are incapable of doing anything for Mangalore? Remember its a Congress led Government in Kerala, a pure Congress Government here in Karnataka & a Congress led Govt at Central (at least until 16th May)...Why dont you guys talk & resolve issues???

    DisAgree [6] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry Lewis, Mangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Need of the hour is to restart Kuwait-Mangalore direct flight.I appreciate lot of efforts are going on by like minded Mangaloreans.I would like to suggest the following.
    1.There are plenty powerful organisations in Kuwait like Tulu Koota,KCWA,Kannada Koota,each parish associations, etc..Let us make a signature campaign.Endorse it through our Embassy and submit to Aviation minister.
    2.Both Oscar & Moily being union ministers let a delegation led by Ivan,J.P.Hegde,NRI businessmen meet aviation minister with our union ministers on this issue.
    3.Inform this step motherly treatment to all news channels and print media until we get justice.
    4.Make a documentary on the plight of Mangalore bound passengers who suffer for non of their mistakes during annual vacations and emergency trips.
    5.Please highlight that we expatriates will not get urgent medical care in foreign lands to the precision and perfection what we get in India.In case emergency surgery is to be conducted on a patient then God only has to reescue with present scenario.This is an additional risk to all of us living in Kuwait at any point of time because human life and health is unpredictable.
    6.The funeral is considered as the last and final one chance to respect a departed person.Relative working in Kuwait have to sustain unbearable pain going to attend funeral along with the hardship of prolonged travel.
    This is my own experience.
    Anyway, let us all united to restart Mangalore-Kuwait direst flight.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Politicians runaway and take flight when it comes to real issues. Looks like the same case here.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • ravi shetty, mangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    The Kerala lobby & officials are trying to reduce the number of flights from mangalore they dont want mangalore airport to be successful as this will affect the new airport which is coming up in Kannur.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Mon, May 05 2014



    I hope Jannanna will call a press meet to discuss/address the issue with concerned authorities ASAP. (hopefully, before 16th May)

    DisAgree [2] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Castelino, Moodbidri/Kuwait

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Dear fellow travelers,
    There seems to be no genuine interest shown by both political and administrative authorities. When KWI-IXE flights were cancelled, the initial response was that is a temporary measure. If AI is going to lease air crafts now, when will they announce summer timetable? In winter?
    When there are air crafts available to Calicut (how safe is that airport?)sector, no one has replied on the passenger load which justifies cancellation of KWI-IXE sector.
    Let AI or airport director substantiate the statements for both airports as far as passenger load is concerned. It is sheer muscle power shown by KL through contacts in DL.
    There is a Konkani saying: Bol aslenchen bolken, Udak aslanchen kolken. QED

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • James Dsouza, Mangalore / Kuwait

    Mon, May 05 2014

    In todays News paper there is a story of a person from mangalore who is paralysed and in serious condition and there is no direct flight to bring him to Mangalore for treatment, Although International flights are operating from Mangalore since long and extension of the runway is long due, no effort has been made by authorities to take up the issue.It is true that the Mangalore Airport is more convenient for Northern Kerala people it is also true that Kerala officials are hell bent on delaying the progress of Mangalore Airport like how keralites behave in gulf countries - that everything they want. jobs. now kannur airport, etc but what our mangalorean MP, MlAs ministers are doing?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nambiar., KasaraGOD.

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Mr. Ivan D'Souza, dont try to fool people and malign the name of Kerala, read the reason given by Mr. Ajit Singh, Union Civil Aviation Minister of India, who is an ally of your Congress party. The reply is ont he Indian Embassy, Kuwait website, the reason stated, is the sector is loss making and due to end of lease of the 737-800 aircrafts which were used on this sector. Mr. Archie sitting to his left, kindly brief him on the real thing.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Godwin D'Souza, Mangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    I travel through Mangalore airport monthly and it looks like a upgraded railway station. Third class facilities and first class price for the facilities. The air-conditioning system is always switched off and even the fans are not working. The toilets have taps that don't work and urinals stink, there is no tissue paper to wipe your hand, disposal tumblers are not provided for drinking water, no cafeteria inside the waiting room if flights from air India are delayed and the price of coffee is that of a first class airport. Finally the feedback form and a suggestion box of the airport authority is hidden under the staircase instead it should be placed prominently visible. This airport requires a person to head it with a proactive approach.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Menezes, Dubai

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Mangalore airport should seriously think on allowing Air Arabia to operate from Mangalore. I am sure, they will take the airport to the next level. We have seen their operation in Sharjah and now they are trying with RAK airport.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • Glenn, Kuwait

    Tue, May 06 2014

    Excellent point Menezes Dubai. Air Arabia is excellent with their prices as well as their service. Nice flights as well.Most importantly they fly to second tier cities. Since all their flights fly thru Sharjah am sure they will get more than enough passengers from this route even though the flyers from Kuwait could be less during off season. Can someone from Mangalore Airport take up this issue please?

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalaore/Kuwait

    Mon, May 05 2014



    It looks like, Kerala influence everywhere. (Including M'lore)

    I hope direct flight will start as soon as possible.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • bernard, Bantwal

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Dear NRIS we all need to take up this issue of extending the runway for our future generation as well as for us as it will be possible to use the bigger aircrafts and more space for Cargo and people. Who ever has little influence with the our elected MPS and MLAS ask them to put pressure at Centre.
    If we have longer runway it will be a boon.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lavin Noronha, Paladka

    Mon, May 05 2014

    No Worries!!.. After May 16 Airbus A380's will land in Mangalore. Lol

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vasudev Bhat, Rayee/Roma

    Mon, May 05 2014

    According to the prediction after May 16 every district will have an airport with the connectivity of all major cities of India also fare will be minimal because crores of rupees will be brought back from swiss will be made use for it. Manglore is like another ahamadabad..have a little patience

    DisAgree [8] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lavin Noronha, Paladka

    Mon, May 05 2014

    I cant wait to wake up on the dawn of May 16. Wow how nice to live in my ideal paradise without any worries. Lol .. bhat maam am i dreaming...Lol

    DisAgree Agree [10] Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Shetty, Mlore Shj

    Mon, May 05 2014

    KPCC general secretary Ivan D'Souza said that there had been an undue delay in extending the airport runway and that a lobby of Kerala officials was hand in glove with the civil aviation department in cancellation of Mangalore-Kuwait Air India Express operations.

    DEAR IVAN. BOKA OSCAR FERNANDES EITH VARSHA DELHI'D KULONDH DHAADHA THEPPU GUDDHINA ? OTHER THAN DOING CHAMCHAGIRI OF 10 JANPATH, COULDN'T HE USE HIS INFLUENCE FOR SOME BETTERMENT OF HIS NATIVE ?. ONLY WHEN BD ATTACKS COW TRAFFICKERS THESE CONGRESS LEADERS IN DELHI THINK ABOUT MANAGALORE.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [61] Reply Report Abuse

  • Puneeth, mangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    So, you are saying that Naleen Kumar Kateel is useless.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivian, Dubai

    Mon, May 05 2014

    Mr. Rajesh Shetty Itte Nalin Kumar Ulle atha ayela teppu guddondulle. Aye kannadad Parlimentd patheruna budh dada andala malthdena

    DisAgree [10] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • sunnylara, bangalore

    Mon, May 05 2014

    we are placing the full issue in kuwait - mangalore flight ..and we need to wait 2 to 3 hours in mumbai airport..suppose if any mistake, miss flight, then again we need to wait flight and pay money....i dont no why managlore people silent...if kerla means they will make big issue

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: Airport officials blamed for runway, Kuwait flight issues, director denies charges



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