Mangaluru International Airport to Enhance Flight Operations from March
Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) is set to experience a significant boost in both domestic and international flight services commencing this March. This strategic expansion is anticipated to drive higher passenger footfall and overall air traffic, marking a positive development for the region's connectivity.
Resumption and Expansion of International Routes
The Mangaluru–Muscat service, operated by Air India Express, which was suspended eight months ago, will resume operations from March 1. This route will operate with two weekly flights, addressing the needs of expatriates from Mangaluru and nearby districts working in Oman. Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, an entrepreneur based in Oman, expressed relief, stating, "After several representations to local authorities, we are happy that the flight is resuming from March 1, and bookings have already started."
In other international updates, IndiGo will restore its Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi service to daily flights from March, after reducing it to four weekly flights in February. Additionally, Air India Express plans to increase its Mangaluru–Dammam service to six weekly flights from March, with intentions to operate daily flights starting April. The airline will also temporarily boost its Bahrain–Mangaluru service to four weekly flights during the first two weeks of March.
Domestic Flight Enhancements
On the domestic front, Air India Express will temporarily operate a third daily flight between Mangaluru and Bengaluru from March 13 to March 26. This move aims to accommodate increased travel demand during this period.
Future Plans and Passenger Trends
IndiGo officials have indicated ongoing explorations for additional routes from Mangaluru. "We have plans to introduce services to Dammam and Jeddah internationally, and domestically, we are considering routes to Cochin and Kolkata," an official stated. The Navi Mumbai International Airport route, launched last December, is already witnessing strong passenger occupancy of 80-85%, with many travelers using it to access destinations like Shirdi and Pune.
This expansion underscores Mangaluru Airport's growing role in regional and international aviation, promising improved travel options and economic benefits for the area.
