M'lore-Malaysia flight service in the pipeline

04 April 2009

Mangalore: Air Asia, the aviation agency of Malaysia, may start flight service between Mangalore and Kaula Lumpur in the near future, said the outgoing director of Mangalore Airport M R Vasudeva.

Speaking after receiving felicitation from Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the Chamber hall here on Saturday, he said the Malaysia aviation agency is seriously mulling over initiating flights which may be helpful to the Malaysian students studying in the district to a great extent.

Vasudeva said some of the senior officials of the Air Asia have discussed with him the matter, and they have been convinced regarding the necessity.

He said the airport is fully qualified to be tagged as an international airport, but there is a need to highlight its capacity and readiness to accommodate more international flights. The government departments negotiating with the foreign aviation agencies have more responsibilities in this regard," he noted.

Expressing his satisfaction and pleasure of the present status of Mangalore airport, Vasudeva said he is totally happy about the level the airport has reached in the recent years. The Airport Authority of India has provided a wonderful airport which is the need of the hour for a rapidly growing city like Mangalore. From arrival to the departure lounge, the infrastructure provided at the airport is not inferior to any of the prominent airports of the country," he explained.

The customer satisfaction index of Mangalore airport was below 70 which was also below the national average. It is really great to note that the present index is above the national average, Vasudeva informed.

The 18,200 sq ft new terminal building will soon be a reality, which will emerge fulfledged with all necessary infrastructure including seven elevators, he added.

Railway station

Emphasising on the need for making airport the centre of activities, he said providing a railway station near the airport is the need of the hour, which has been pending unrealised for the past many years.

Vasudeva noted that the revenue of the airport has slightly come down in 2008-09 due to the implementation of the sixth pay commission recommendations.

The revenue has come down to Rs 7.5 crore from the previous years Rs 8.63 crore. As per the sixth pay commission, 30 more staffs have been recruited; the total staff strength is 161 now," he informed.

KCCI President Srinivas S Kamath, office-bearers G G Mohandas Prabhu and Ahmed Bava were present on the occasion.