Kuwait-Mangalore direct flight service: UAKK delegation meets CM

June 30, 2014

Mangalore, Jun 29: A delegation from United Associations of Karnataka Kuwait (UAKK), an umbrella organization of 12 associations, and prominent social workers from coastal Karnataka called on Karnataka chief minister Siddaramiah in Vidaana Saudha, Bangalore and requested his intervention with aviation ministry of India in regard to the restoration of Kuwait-Mangalore direct flight.

The delegation said that more than 1,30,000 Kuwait bound passengers from coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala are put to untold hardships and their flying time was extended from 4 to 12 hours since Air India Express wrapped up its flight service in Kuwait - Mangalore sector from Feb 15, 2014. The plight of the aged and families with the small kids has become miserable as they have to transit through Bombay or Bangalore.

Most of the disappointed passengers feel that there was systematic plan executed by the vested interests to cancel the Kuwait-Mangalore flight services and finally they succeeded in victimizing Mangalore passengers by cancelling the flights from Feb 2014 and all representation to restore the flights fell on deaf ears.

UAKK delegation has submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through the help of Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Kader and requested him to garnish the support from aviation ministry of India to restore the flights.

On behalf of thousands of Karnataka and Northern Kerala NRIs in Kuwait, UAKK requested the Civil Aviation Ministry of India to restore the direct flight service between Kuwait and Mangalore on top priority basis as currently Kuwait is the only gulf country which does not have direct flights to Mangalore.

A memorandum was also sent to the ambassador of India in Kuwait requesting him to exhort the Aviation Ministry to reinstate standard Airlines to operate direct flight services on Kuwait-Mangalore sector. The memorandum stated that the Aviation Ministry and the concerned Airlines may also look into the possibility of introducing flight services on Kuwait-Mangalore-Bangalore sector.

UAKK is also planning to meet Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel in this regard.

The delegation included UAKK chief coordinator Hasan Yusuf, KKMA Karnataka Unit Coordinator S.M. Farooq and Coastal Karnataka Social Worker U.M. Mohammed.

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International Airport in Udupi, Metro to Mangaluru…: Pontiffs present comprehensive Udupi development plan to PM

News Network

November 30,2025

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district.

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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