Mangaluru, Jul 2: It is wrong to blame Mangaluru International Airport for the recent skidding of Air India Express flight, according to Dakshina Kannada district in charge minister U T Khader.
On Sunday, the Air India Express flight IX384 which had come from Dubai had skidded off the taxiway while making its way to the terminal building and the aircraft got stuck in the grass. The aircraft was towed on Monday.
Expressing concern over the incident, Mr Khader has urged the DGCA and civil aviation ministry to ascertain the exact reasons for the incident. However, he said that airport should not be blamed for such incidents. “This could be because of pilot error or any other cause, which only a probe can pin-point,” he said.
“The airport has witnessed scores of safe landings and take-offs prior to this. The Sunday incident took place after a successful landing,” he pointed out.
The minister said that the state government was willing to acquire land to extend the runway at the airport, a move that will facilitate operations of even wide-bodied jets. “However, we are waiting for clarity on the proposed move by the Union government to privatise MIA,” he said.
If there will be commensurate returns to the stakeholders, including travelling public in terms of facilities and possible costs, once this investment is made using taxpayers money, he said.
Also Read: Air India Express flight from Dubai veers off taxiway at Mangaluru Airport
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