Mangalore International Airport

For the airport in Australia, see Mangalore Airport (Victoria).
Mangalore International Airport
ಮಂಗಳೂರು ಅಂತರರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ
Maṅgaḷūru Antararāṣṭrīya Vimāna Nildāṇa

Mangalore International Airport
IATA: IXEICAO: VOML
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner/Operator Airports Authority of India
Serves Mangalore
Location Bajpe, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Opened 25 Dec 1951
Focus city for Air India Express
Elevation AMSL 337 ft / 103 m
Coordinates 12°57′41″N 074°53′24″E / 12.96139°N 74.89000°E / 12.96139; 74.89000Coordinates: 12°57′41″N 074°53′24″E / 12.96139°N 74.89000°E / 12.96139; 74.89000
Map
IXE
IXE
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 5,300 1,615 Asphalt
06/24 8,038 2,450 Concrete
Statistics (2015-16)
Passenger movements 1,674,251(Increase28.1%)
Aircraft movements 13,805 (Increase20.0%)
Cargo tonnage 936 (Increase36.8%)
Source: AAI,[1]

Mangalore International Airport,[2][3] (IATA: IXE, ICAO: VOML) formerly known as Bajpe Airport, is an international airport[4] serving the coastal city of Mangalore, India. It is one of the only two International airports in Karnataka, the other one being Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. Several daily flights connect Mangalore with most major cities in southern and western India as well as many major cities in the Middle East. The airport, then the Bajpe Aerodrome, was opened on 25 December 1951[5] when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru arrived on a DC-3 Dakota aircraft.[5][6]

As of 2014, Mangalore Airport has one of highest year-over-year passenger growth rates in India, with a 54 percent growth in international passenger traffic.[7] Even though the primary location of service is Mangalore, this airport also serves many places in Coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions such as Manipal, Udupi, Kundapur, Shimoga, Madikeri, Sakaleshpura, Chikmagalur, Bhatkal and also the northern part of Kerala such as Kasaragod.

Overview

The airport is near Bajpe, around 13 km (8.1 mi)[8] northeast of Mangalore city centre. It is on top of a hill, with two tabletop runways (9/27 and 6/24). Only two other airports in India have tabletop runways Kozhikode and Lengpui.[9] The terminal was very small and had basic facilities; it was renovated in the early 2000s. New seats were added, parking controls were introduced, and additional cafes were opened. The airport was initially used for limited domestic flights, mainly Mumbai and Bangalore.

The operation of international flights started in 2006 with Air India Express flying to Dubai. Mangalore Airport was a customs airport[10] for six years, from 3 October 2006 to 3 October 2012, before it was granted the status of International Airport.[11]

Until 2005, the small 1,600 m (5,249 ft) runway meant the airport could only handle Boeing 737-400 size aircraft. The longer runway now handles slightly larger aircraft. On 10 January 2006 an Airbus A319 of Kingfisher Airlines was the first aircraft in that class to land on the new runway.[12] On 28 September 2012 an Airbus A310 landed for the first time at Mangalore. It was a charter flight for the Hajj pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.[13]

Airport has seen double digit growth in passenger traffic after introducing international flights. As of 2014, the airport had a growth of 21.51 per cent in passenger handling during 2013–14, with 54 per cent growth in international traffic. It has handled 1,255,000 passengers in 2013–14 against 1,032,000 in 2012–13.[7] The airport is expected to handle 900,000 passengers in 2025.[14][15]

In 2011–12 the airport had a revenue of 42.64 crores and an operating profit of 87.6 million,[16] up from 8.3 million in 2006–07.[17] In 2012–13 the airport handled a landmark 1.02 million passengers with 11,940 aircraft movements.[16] The revenue for the same period was Rs 506.6 million, and it recorded an operating profit of Rs 164.9 million during 2012–13.[16] In 2013–14 it handled a 1.25 million passengers with revenues of Rs 638.9 million.[18]

Structure

Runway

The first runway (9/27), 1,615 m (5,299 ft) long, was opened in 1951. It is a tabletop runway, with landing approaches that lead up to the extreme edges of a hillside.[19][20] The edges of the hill drop into a valley from a height of about 90 m (300 ft) to 9 m (30 ft)) within a short distance of just 500 m (1,600 ft) on the east of the runway and from about 83 m (272 ft) to 25 m (82 ft) on the western side.[19] The runway was not level, with the height varying from 90 m (300 ft) to 83 m (272 ft) from east to west. Landing on this short runway was considered difficult.[19]

Mangalore Airport was the first airport in Karnataka to have two runways[21] and the first to have a runway made of concrete.[22] The second runway (6/24), 2,450 m (8,038 ft) long, was opened on 10 May 2006. A Jet Airways flight from Bangalore with 95 passengers on board was the first to land on this runway.[23] The airport has acquired land to build a taxiway parallel to the new runway to reduce aircraft on ground time.[24]

Union minister of state for civil aviation Praful Patel announced on 15 May 2010 that a work order for extending the runway to 9,000 feet (2,740 m) would be issued soon.[25] After the crash of Air India Express Flight 812, the minister reaffirmed on 30 May 2010 that the runway extension will take place and will take into account the spillover area required during an emergency.[26]

Safety improvements were implemented after the directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) identified this as one of the 11 airports in India as unsafe. Addition of a runway end safety area, ensuring proper markings on the runway, and proper maintenance of the basic strip were among the improvements.[27][28]

Passenger terminal

One of two aero bridges at the terminal.

The road to the new terminal reduces the distance between the city and the airport by about 8 km (5.0 mi).[29] The airport had a trial run of the terminal for domestic flights on 16 December 2009.[30] On 15 May 2010, the terminal building was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel,[31] along with former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B. S. Yeddyurappa. It was to be opened to air traffic on 1 July 2010, but it became operational on 2 August 2010 due to delays caused by the Air India Express Flight 812 accident.[32][33]

Since 1 September 2010, the airport is charging a user development fee (UDF) of 150 (US$2.20) per passenger for domestic flights and 825 (US$12) for international flights. This fee was approved by the Civil Aviation Ministry.[34]

As of 15 May 2010, 26 domestic flights and 52 international flights were operated every week.[35]

Air traffic control

The construction of a new air traffic control (ATC) tower was completed in June 2014,[36] and commissioned for one-month trial on 19 January 2015.[37] After the trial period it will be run normally for two more months.[37] DGCA approval will be received based on the results of the trial and normal operations in this period.[37]

On 5 September 2013 the Airports Authority of India commissioned a DGCA approved advanced automated air traffic management system, replacing the older system.[38] The system enhances flight safety by providing flight plans, direction finders, and air-ground-data link messages.[38] This system processes radar feeds from Bangalore, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram and displays them at Mangalore.[38]

Spicejet Q400 VT-SUE at Mangalore International Airport

Old terminal

The Cargo Terminal

Since 2011 the old terminal has been used for direct flights to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for pilgrims undertaking the Hajj.[39] In 2011 and 2012 chartered flights landed at Mangalore International Airport and carried passengers from the old terminal building.[13]

Indian Coast Guard Air Station

The Mangalore Airport Director announced on 28 January 2016 that the Airports Authority of India have handed over 17,000 sqft of space at the old terminal building to the Indian Coast Guard to set up an air station for its air operations.[40] The ICG has proposed to station two of its Dornier air craft at the air station.[40]

Future expansion

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Air IndiaMumbai
Air India ExpressAbu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai–International, Kuwait, Muscat
Jet AirwaysAbu Dhabi, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Dubai–International, Mumbai, Sharjah
SpiceJetBelgaum, Bangalore, Dubai–International, Hyderabad, Mumbai

Statistics

Presently it ranks 12 in the list of airports with international passenger traffic after Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Thiruchirapalli international airports.[51] The Airport had 8.91 lakh passengers in the FY 2011-12 and witnessed a growth rate of 5.44%. According to the airport sources it has a target of achieving 16 lac passengers traffic in the FY 2016-17[52]

Mangalore International Airport passenger traffic statistics [53][54]
Year Rank Passengers Growth Rank Change
2015-16 21 1,674,251 Increase 28.1% Steady
2014-15 21 1,307,083 Increase 1.82% Decrease 3
2013-14 18 1,283,667 Increase 23.02% Increase 3
2012-13 21 1,043,386

Air Cargo Complex

Air Cargo Complex of Mangalore Airport was commissioned in the year 2013.[55]

Tonnage and Annual Handling Capacity
Cargo Type Total covered area Capacity (One time handling capacity)
International Cargo 1400 sqm 140 MT
Domestic Cargo 1094 sqm 110 MT

Major commodities are fresh vegetable, Chilled Fish, Ornamental Fish, Cashew Nut, Flowers and Machinery Parts.[55]

Connectivity

KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) offers bus service between the airport (from the bottom of the hill) and Central Railway Station.[56][57] Taxis ply between the airport and the city of Mangalore. Prepaid taxi service is available around the clock at the airport counter in the arrival hall.

Ola Cabs has started the services in the city which extends to the Airport in Mini, Micro and Sedan categories.[58]

Accidents and incidents

Mangalore Airport is in a region that receives the highest rainfall in India.[59] Minor incidents, especially overshooting the runway during landings, have been reported in the rainy season.[60] This airport was the scene of the third deadliest aviation disaster in India. This incident led to the implementation of major safety improvements at the airport.[50][61]

Major incidents are listed below.

See also

References

  1. "TRAFFIC STATISTICS - DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS" (jsp). Aai.aero. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. Mangalore Airport to get international tag in December The Hindu
  3. Mangalore, General Information official website of airport authority of India
  4. Cabinet grants international airport status to five airports The Economic Times. Retrieved 4 October 2012
  5. 1 2 "First man who landed in Mangalore: Airport is fine". Rediff News. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  6. "The Green Green Fields of Home". Manglorean.com. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  7. 1 2 http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/mangalore-airport-flier-traffic-rises-by-21-pc/article5946437.ece
  8. "Airports Authority of India". www.aai.aero. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  9. "Indian skies are safe for flying: Kanu Gohain, Ex-Director General, DGCA". The Economic Times. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
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  12. "Kingfisher Creates History – Airbus A-319 Trial Flight Lands at Bajpe". DaijiWorld. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2006.
  13. 1 2 Airbus 310 Cynosure of All Eyes at Mangalore Airport DaijiWorld.com accessdate 28 September 2012
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  16. 1 2 3 The Hindu Business Line 1 May 2013
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  19. 1 2 3 "Hi-fliers on a high". The Hindu. 16 December 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
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  22. "Pilot training programme at Bajpe airport from Sunday". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
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  35. Big boost for Mangalore airport – Bangalore – DNA
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  37. 1 2 3 Mangalore airport gets new air traffic control tower Hindu Business Line 20 January 2015
  38. 1 2 3 Mangalore airport to get advanced air traffic management system The Hindu 6 September 2013
  39. First Hajj flight takes off from Mangalore with 159 pilgrims CoastalDigest.com accessdate 28 September 2012
  40. 1 2 Coast Guard gets space at Mangaluru airport for air squadron The Hindu 1 February 2016
  41. 1 2 3 http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/extension-of-additional-taxiway-at-airport-gets-aai-approval/article8735264.ece The Hindu, 16 June 2016
  42. 1 2 3 Mangalore airport to have new taxiway for rush days ahead The Hindu 24 May 2013
  43. Manglore airport to be shut at night for six months Zee News 18 October 2014
  44. Mangaluru: Airport ready for uninterrupted functioning from May 1
  45. Works on parallel taxiways at airport begins The Hindu 12 September 2014
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  56. Mangalore: Seven KSRTC Buses Start Functioning in City Daijiworld.com
  57. KSRTC launches seven new city services in Mangalore Times of India
  58. Technologies, Olacabs - ANI. "Ola cabs Fare in mangalore | Taxi fare in mangalore | Cabs Fare Calculator in mangalore". www.olacabs.com. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  59. "Annual Rainfall Map of India, Rainfall in India". Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
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  62. 1 2 "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
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  66. "Instrument Landing System Begins Operation at Mangalore Airport Again". DaijiWorld.com. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.

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