The Hindu : Karnataka News : Bajpe Airport handles over 3 lakh passengers

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Friday, Jul 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Bajpe Airport handles over 3 lakh passengers

Raviprasad Kamila

It is likely to touch five lakh by the end of the year

— Photo: R. Eswarraj

BUSY: A view of the arrival hall at Bajpe Airport in Mangalore.

MANGALORE: Bajpe Airport of the Airports Authority India (AAI) handled over three lakh passengers in the first half of this calendar year, according to M.R. Vasudeva, director of the airport.

As per an estimate, the airport is likely to handle over five lakh passengers by the end of calendar year 2007, he told The Hindu.

The airport handled 3,10,171 passengers from January to June, 2007. The number of passengers leaving through the airport was more (1,58,582 passengers) when compared to passengers who arrived (1,51,589 passengers) during the six months. There were 4,035 aircraft movements during this six months.

In May, which is a season for passenger movements, the airport handled 64,804 passengers. In June, though rainy season in Mangalore, the number of passenger movements stood at 56,702.

The highest aircraft movement was recorded in April with 819 (landing and take off). In May, it was 706 aircraft movements, he said.

According to Mr. Vasudeva, the airport handled 4,528 aircraft movements in the calendar year 2006 (January to December). The number of aircraft movements (landing and take off) is likely to touch 6,669 by the end of 2007.

Increase in traffic

Passenger movement at the airport is on a gradual increase for the past five years. The airport handled 2.01 lakh passengers in 2002; 2.03 lakh passengers in 2003; 2.63 lakh passengers in 2004; 2.76 lakh passengers in 2005 and 4.52 lakh passengers in 2006.

The launch of international flight services and a few new domestic flights in 2006 has added to the increase in passenger traffic.

By the end of calendar year 2008, the passenger movement at the airport is likely to touch 7.26 lakh and the number of aircraft movements 8,668.

New flight

An airline operator who preferred anonymity said that Air India Express is likely to start and direct flight service between Mangalore and Sharjah by the end of this year.

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