Ministry responds positively to demand for Mangalore-Riyadh, Jeddah direct flight

Mangalore, Aug 11: Amidst the ongoing efforts to establish direct aviation link from Mangalore to Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, union ministry of civil aviation has assured look into the matter.

In a reply to Udupi-Chikmagalur MP K Jayaprakash Hegde's letter, civil aviation minister Ait Singh has said that he was examining the matter.

Mr Hegde, who had visited Saudi Arabia to participate in Coastaldigest.com gala to mark the launch on Mangalore-Dammam direct flight earlier this year, in his letter pointed out that there was a great demand for direct flights from Mangalore to Saudi Arabian cities.

Since there is considerable demand for direct flight from Mangalore to Riyadh and Jeddah, it would be in the best interest of airline carriers and passengers to start direct flight operation on these sectors, Mr Hegde had told the union minister.

Air India Express has been operating direct flight between Mangalore and Dammam since April this year. Following the launch of Mangalore-Dammam flight, various NRI organisations in Saudi Arabia had exhorted Coastaldigest.com to step up its struggle for the direct flight connectivity from Mangalore to Riyadh and Jeddah too.

Jet Airways to launch Mangalore-Saudi flight?

Meanwhile, a top official of Jet Airways told Coastalidgest.com that Jet Airways also considering the commencement of direct flight between Mangalore and Saudi Arabia.

The Jet Airways, which is already operating direct flight between Mangalore and Dubai, may extend the route one are two of its flights to Mangalore-Dubai, Jeddah, he said.