Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 7: As the air fare between the city and Bangalore has gone up, there has been considerable decline in the passenger and air traffic from the city. Hike in air fare has resulted in a drastic decline in the number of passengers resorting to air travel between these two cities, said airport director Vasudev M R.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday November 6, he said that as against six flights that operated between the two cities in the past, only two King Fisher flights operate now daily. However, Jet Airways and Air Deccan, who have suspended their services, are expected to resume operations from November 15. The situation has arisen, as the passengers are concerned over steep hike in air fare. The phenomenon is temporary in nature, he explained.

As against the earlier air passenger traffic of around 18,000 per month, the figure has come down to around 12,000 now, he added.

The new airport terminal coming up at Kenjar, and the Deccan Park connecting road near the terminal building were officially handed over to the Airports Authority of India on Wednesday November 5 in the presence of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat chief executive officer Shivshankar.

State panchayat raj minister Shobha Karandlaje has positively responded to the request made by Vasudev for repairing the airport connecting road. She assured him that the government will extend full cooperation to the airport on this issue. Works for repairing and developing Deccan Park road and other roads have already been started, Vasudev stated.