International flight service to Bajpe airport postponed

Mangalore, May 26 (UNI) The much-awaited International flight service to the Bajpe airport, near here, proved to be a non-starter following the chartered flight from Sharjah not landing today as scheduled.

Airports Authority of India M R Vasudeva told UNI that the Russian-made aircraft, TU 154, with a seating capacity of 150, was originally scheduled to arrive at 1700 hrs. Since Friday being a holiday in the gulf country, some confusion had arisen over starting the flight service today. The flight might arrive tomorrow. However, no confirmation had been received in this regard so far, he added.

Mr Vasudeva informed that a six-member team from AAI, New Delhi, was on a three-day visit here for inspecting safety aspects at the airport. It had expressed satisfaction over the quality of the new runway, built at a cost of Rs 45 crore, and said the pilots were happy with it.

He said with completion of the new runway, designed to handle aircraft such as Airbus 320, the airport's grade had gone up to 4-D from 3-C. The runway had also been provided with simple approach lighting system on both sides, imported from Korea, he added.

He also informed that the airport had started receiving flights from Chennai, with the Kingfisher Airlines commencing direct operations between Chennai and Mangalore from May 16.

Mr Vasudeva said with this, the total number of flights operated by Kingfisher at the airport rose to three, including one flight between Bangalore and Mangalore.

He said the airlines operated two flights between Chennai and Mangalore daily. The first flight from Chennai landed at Bajpe airport at 1010 hrs and took off at 1110 hrs, while the second one arrived at 1505 hrs and left at 1700 hrs.

UNI MA RG SI BST1908