MLC Capt Karnik stresses on futility of airport between Mangaluru, Udupi

MLC Capt Karnik stresses on futility of airport between Mangaluru, Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 11, 2017: In the light of Karnataka government deciding to have survey on the possibilities of constructing an airport between Udupi and Mangaluru and also to expand the runway at Mangaluru International Airport on area of 33 acres, as per statement of Minister for Industries and Infrastructure Development RV Deshpande during the Assembly Session on June 9, Friday.

To a query by BJP MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik, Minister Deshpande said, “A meeting was held between the president of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the state government on June 1 and the possibilities of a new airport and extension of the runway were discussed".

Addressing the Assembly, Capt Karnik noted that Kozhikode would soon have an international airport and that was likely to reduce the demand for the airport at Mangaluru. He further cautioned that if the demand reduced, it might limit flight service to only between Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

He added that at present passengers from the Malabar region in Kerala and neighbouring districts of Dakshina Kannada were dependent on Mangaluru International Airport to travel to foreign countries especially the Gulf countries.