Mangalore Airport has witnessed a good growth in both passenger and aircraft movements during the first half of the current calendar year, thanks to the operation of international flights and boom in the domestic aviation market.

During January-June 2007, the airport witnessed a growth of 52.33 per cent in passenger movements and 59.62 per cent in aircraft movements compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Mr. M.R. Vasudeva, Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Mangalore, told Business Line that Mangalore airport witnessed 3,10,171 passenger movements from January to June 2007 (2,03,620).

During the period, the airport recorded 4,035 (2,528) aircraft movements.

The operation of international flights has come as a big boost for the airport’s growth.

In a week, the airport witnesses around 20 aircraft movements to various destinations in West Asia.

This was not the scenario during January-June 2006.

Connect point

At present, Air India Express connects Mangalore with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha and Bahrain.

A large number of passengers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and northern Kerala districts are dependent on the Mangalore airport for their journey towards various West Asian destinations.