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PANAJI
Goans in need of faster access between the State and Mangalore will have reason to cheer, with flights between Dabolim and Mangalore set to take-off from April.
Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has stated that Mangalore would have air connectivity to Goa (Dabolim), Pune and Kolkata during the summer schedule of airlines which will come into effect from April, according to a report.
Speaking at a function to lay the foundation stone for expansion works and advance visual docking guidance system at Mangaluru International Airport, Kateel said Mangalore at present did not have flight connectivity to Goa, Pune and Kolkata.
Kateel said SpiceJet had shown an interest to introduce a flight to Goa, while IndiGo had plans to connect Pune and Delhi, and Air India would connect Kolkata and Bengaluru.
The MP said all flights are expected to be operational within three months.
Seeking to allay fears over recent launch of the Kannur International Airport in Kerala, Kateel said that operations at Kannur Airport would not affect the growth of the Mangaluru Airport, as North Kerala passengers would prefer to travel by Mangaluru owing to its proximity.
The MP said the Union government is ready to extend the runway at Mangaluru airport provided the State government hands over 84 acres required for the same to the Airports Authority of India.
