Mangalore, Jan 3: Gaurang Shetty, Senior Vice President – Commercial, Jet Airways, has said that if Civil Aviation Ministry granted permission, his airline was ready to introduce between Mangalore and Saudi Arabia.
Replying to a query of media persons at a press meet prior to the takeoff of the first Mangalore-Dubai Jet Airways direct flight at Mangalore International Airport, Mr. Shetty said that it is up to the Civil Aviation Ministry to take up the matter as deciding on the airlines and the number of flights to be operated between two countries is a matter of bilateral negotiation between two nations.
Besides, the distance of travel being on the longer side between Mangalore and Saudi Arabia, the feasibility and commercial viability of the airline will have to be given a thought, he said.
He however mentioned that if there is permission from the Ministry, the airline would be happy to introduce as many direct flights as possible not just to Saudi but also other Gulf countries.
Later, speaking at the formal inauguration programme, Jayaprakash Hegde, Member of Parliament, Udupi-Chikmagalur, said that starting of Jet Airways direct flight between Mangalore and Dubai has come about as a positive development.
He requested the airline authorities to consider introducing a direct flight to Saudi Arabia as there is great demand for the service in the Arab nation. A request has been made to the Union Civil Aviation Minister by him, asking for a direct flight service either of the national carrier or any private carrier to be introduced between Mangalore and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Hegde said.
Mr. Hegde also revealed on the occasion that he has asked the Union Civil Aviation Minister to set up a PoE (Protector of Emigrants) office either in Mangalore or Bangalore so that people of Karnataka need not travel all the way to Mumbai, Chennai and Trivandrum. Clearance for air cargo complex to Mangalore International Airport will also be given soon by the Government, he expressed confidence.
J T Radhakrishna, Director, Mangalore International Airport and M R Vasudeva, Former Director, Mangalore International Airport were also present besides others.
Related: Jet Airways starts Mangalore-Dubai international operations
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