AIE to intro 4 flights b/w Sharjah-Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 11: Air India Express will introduce four flight service between Sharjah and Mangalore from October 25, Airport Authority of India (AAI) Director M R Vasudeva said today.

He told press persons at the Bajpe airport that with this additional service, the number of international flights per week between Mangalore and the gulf country would increase to 14. There would a total 28 international flight movement per week at the Bajpe airport per week from October 25 from the present 20 flight movement, he added.

He said the work on the new terminal building at the airport had been awarded and would be completed in next 18 month period. The required land for the new terminal building had already been acquired by the state government and handed over to the AAI.

He said that the Bajpe airport had earned a profit of Rs 83 lakh during 2006-07. It had targeted to earn a profit of Rs six crore during 2007-08, 4.58 lakh passengers have travelled during 2006-07.

Replying a query, he said that there was great demand for commencement of cargo flight service. But the airport had no immediate plans to start the cargo service due to some technical reason, he said adding that AAI had also sought the railway ministry for setting up a railway station near the new terminal building to facilitate the air passengers to and from Mangalore city.

UNI