The much-awaited international status for Mangalore airport is likely to be accorded over the next couple of months as a major part of the work on the second runway and a terminal building is nearing completion at Kenjar, about 20 km from Mangalore. The expansion of the airport for Rs 214 crore is expected to be completed shortly.
International operations began at the airport on October 3, 2006, with Air India Express, the low-cost carrier of the Air India, introducing a flight to Dubai. Now, the airline is operating 25 flights from Mangalore to major destinations in West Asia like Sharjah, Dubai, Muscat, Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha.
In addition to the national carrier, international airlines like Saudi Airlines and Kuwait Air are waiting for Indian approval to start operations to Mangalore, MR Vasudeva, director, Mangalore airport, told Business Standard.
“Mangalore airport is now equipped with necessary infrastructure to operate international flights and we expect the civil aviation ministry to give the green signal so that it can be declared an international airport,” he said.
He said Mangalore airport was the second airport in south India to have two runways. The second runway, built for Rs 55 crore, is 8,000 ft. The terminal building being built for Rs 147 crore is expected to be completed by February. The Airports Authority of India has acquired 364 acres of additional land to expand the airport.
