Mangalore Airport (India)

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Mangalore Airport
Mangalore Airport New Terminal.jpg
Mangalore Airport Terminal
IATA: IXE – ICAO: VOML
IXE is located in India airports
IXE
Location of airport in India
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Airports Authority of India
Location Mangalore, India
Elevation AMSL 337 ft / 103 m
Coordinates 12°57′41″N 074°53′24″E / 12.96139°N 74.89000°E / 12.96139; 74.89000
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 5,300 1,615 Asphalt
06/24 8,038 2,450 Concrete
Statistics (Apr '12 – Mar '13)
Passenger movements 1,032,601[1]
Aircraft movements 10,940[2]
Cargo tonnage 305
Source: AAI[3][4][5]

Mangalore Airport,[6][7] (IATA: IXE, ICAO: VOML) formerly known as Bajpe Airport, is an international airport,[8] serving the coastal city of Mangalore, India. 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 was opened on 25 December 1951[9] as the Bajpe Aerodrome when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru arrived on the maiden flight on a DC-3 Dakota aircraft.[9][10] The airport was the first in the State of Karnataka to have two runways, one of which was fully concrete. Mangalore Airport is capable of handling aircraft up to A310 size in all weather conditions. Night operations are permitted at the airport.[11]

The operation of international flights started in 2006 with Air India Express flying to Dubai. Mangalore Airport was a customs airport[12] for six years from 3 October 2006 to 3 October 2012, before it was granted the status of International Airport.[13]

The 61-year old airport has seen tremendous growth from its first flight, a single cargo-cum-passenger Dakota planes in 1951 to modern Boeings and Airbuses. Mangalore being a one of major port city of India having world-class industries and educational institutions, helping Mangalore Airport to clock record growth in passenger traffic.[14]

Contents

Overview[edit]

The airport is located near Bajpe, around 20 km (12 mi) north-east of the city centre. The airport is located on top of a hill, with two table top runways 9/27 and 6/24. Only two other airports in India have table top runways – Kozhikode and Lengpui.[15] As of October 2012, airport has facilities for handling 400 passengers in the Domestic arrival Hall and 150 international passengers in international hall.[16]

On 28 September 2012 an Airbus A310, a first of aircraft in that class, landed for the first time at the airport, it was a charter flight to fly the Hajj pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.[17] On 10 January 2006 an Airbus A319 of Kingfisher Airlines was the first aircraft in that class to land on the new runway.[18] Until 2005, its small 1,600 m (5,249 ft) runway meant that it could only handle Boeing 737-400 sized aircraft. The longer runway now handles slightly larger aircraft.

Growth of Passenger traffic at the Mangalore Airport can be gauged by the fact that the airport handled 9.29 lakh passengers from July 2011 to June 2012 although it was projected to handle 9 lakh passengers in 2025.[19][20]

In 2007–08 the airport handled 10,019 aircraft movements as compared to 6,268 the previous year.[21]

In 2011–12 it had a revenue of INR 42.64 crores and an operating profit of INR 8.76 crores,[2] up from INR 83 lakhs in 2006–07.[22] In 2012-13 the airport handled a landmark 1.02 million passengers with 11,940 aircraft movements.[2] The airport's revenue for the same period was Rs 50.66 crore and recorded an operating profit of Rs 16.49 crore during 2012-13.[2]

Layout and infrastructure[edit]

Runway[edit]

The first runway 9/27 of length 1,615 m (5,299 ft) was built opened in 1951, its landing approaches lead up to the extreme edges of the hill sides and was thus called a table top runway.[23][24] The edges of the hill dropping into the 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 side of the runway and from about 83 m (272 ft) to 25 m (82 ft) on the western side.[23] An additional disadvantage was that 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 at this airport was considered difficult.[23]

The second runway 6/24 of length 2,450 m (8,038 ft) was opened on 10 May 2006. A Jet Airways flight from Bangalore with 95 passengers on board became the first to land on this runway.[25] With this, Mangalore Airport has become the first airport in Karnataka to have two runways,[26] and also the first to have a runway which is made of concrete.[27] The airport has acquired land to build a taxiway parallel to the new runway to reduce aircraft on ground time.[21]

Union minister of state for civil aviation Praful Patel had announced on 15 May 2010 that a work order for extending the runway to 9,000 feet (2,740 m) would be issued soon,[28] subsequently after the air crash of Air India 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.[29]

On 11 July 2011 at the meeting of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, it was informed that the Karnataka Government will be issuing preliminary notification for the acquisition of land for the extension of runway at the Mangalore airport. The process of land survey for runway expansion has been started, and the preliminary notification for acquisition would be issued in a week. Around 156 acres will be required for runway expansion, and an amount of INR 15 crores has been set aside in the State Budget for Mangalore airport work.[30] You can see the details on runway expansion.

Provision of runway end safety area, ensuring proper markings on the runway and proper maintenance of the basic strip were implemented in the airport after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) identified this airport as one of the 11 Airports in India as unsafe.[31][32]

Passenger terminal[edit]

The new airport project was taken up to be developed in an area of about 2.36 square kilometres (580 acres) of land. In the first phase a 43,000 m2 (460,000 sq ft) apron was constructed at a cost of INR18.19 crore (US$3.1 million) and connected to the second runway.[33] The new terminal building built over 280,000 square metres (69 acres) of land and constructed at a cost of INR150 crore (US$26 million),[34][35] with work completing in December 2009.[35] It is centrally air-conditioned, and covers an area of 18,220 square metres (196,100 sq ft). It is equipped with two aerobridges with provision for adding more in the future. It is designed to separately handle domestic and international passengers. The apron can accommodate four A310 class and an A321 class aircraft at a time, with provision for three more aircraft to be added at a future stage. Including the old airport, the total capacity of the airport is nine aircraft and two helicopters.[36]

The road to the new terminal reduces the distance between Mangalore and the airport by about 8 km (5.0 mi).[34] The airport had the trial run of the terminal for domestic flights on 16 December 2009.[37] On 15 May 2010, the terminal building was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel,[38] along with Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. 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 the delays caused by the Air India Express Flight 812 accident.[39][40]

Since 1 September 2010, the airport is charging a User Development Fee (UDF) of INR150 (US$2.60) per passenger for domestic flights and INR825 (US$14) for international flights. This proposal has been approved by the Civil Aviation Ministry.[41]

As of 15 May 2010, 26 domestic flights and 52 international flights are operated every week.[42] Construction of new Air Traffic Control (ATC) complex at the airport is expected to be over by June 2013 to handle the increasing traffic at the airport.[43]

Old terminal[edit]

Old terminal building

Since 2011 the old terminal has been used for direct flights to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for pilgrims undertaking the Hajj.[44] In 2011 and 2012 chartered flights landed at Mangalore Airport and carried passengers from the old terminal building.[17]

Air cargo complex[edit]

The air cargo complex has been notified by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). The infrastructure for the air cargo complex is ready at old terminal. AAI has applied for the custodianship of cargo to be handled at the airport.[45][46][47] It would have a facility to store up to 10 tonnes of cargo. In addition, a cold storage would have a capacity to store up to three tonnes of cargo. Provision would be made to store sensitive and hazardous goods.[43]

On 18 March 2013 the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh inaugurating air cargo complex and the common user terminal equipment (CUTE) system at Mangalore Airport.[48]

Coast guard air base[edit]

2,000 square metres in the old airport at Bajpe will be used by the Indian Coast Guard for keeping its helicopters. In addition to the land at the airport which will be given on lease by Airport Authority of India(AAI), the Coast Guard had sought 15 acres from the State Government near the old airport to set up its base. It was yet to be given possession of the land. The parking of its helicopters at the airport will help strengthen rescue operations and coastal security.[43]

Future expansion[edit]

  • New Air Traffic Control Tower cum Technical Block. It will house air traffic control, control tower, radar unit and communication unit at one place. The three floors plus basement structure will come up behind the fire station and will allow a bird's eye view of the entire airport as in other airports like Chennai and Kolkata.[49]
  • Parallel Taxiway to reduce runway occupancy time and provide more safety.[50]
  • Work on the two lane exit road from the airport has started since 19 February 2013.[51] Until completion of this road the entry road is kept open for two way traffic.[52]
  • Upgrade the airport emergency service to Category 8.[53]
  • Improved runway markings and elevation of the runway-end safety area.[54]
  • The current length of the runway is 2,450 m (8,040 ft). The extension of runway length by 300 m (980 ft) will enable the airport to handle bigger aircraft.[55] AAI has not implemented the recommendation of the 812 crash inquiry committee which had recommended the lengthening of the airport runway. AAI is not ready to invest in the runway expansion and it wants the state government to invest in it, though wide bodied A310 and new airlines are allowed to operate by the regulatory authorities. User Development Fee are being charged by the AAI, but it has not started work on the runway lengthening.[56][57]
  • Expansion of the Passenger Terminal to accommodate more passengers. The estimates made by AAI for year 2025 while constructing a new passenger terminal have been crossed in the year 2012 itself. It is expected that passenger terminal will not be able to accommodate the increasing traffic in the coming years.[58]
  • Commencement of wide body aircraft flights from the airport, under public-private partnership model depending on allotment of 1 km2 (247.1 acres) of land from the government.[59] If larger aircraft were to operate from Mangalore, the main runway would have to be extended by 1,000 m (3,281 ft) and widened to 300 m (984.3 ft). This extension work might cost INR1,200 crore (US$210 million). As per the opinion of Mr Vasudeva, former airport mananger, considering the cost involved in extending the runway, a new airport could be constructed rather than upgrading the existing one.[60] The airport could now handle medium range aircraft such as Airbus 310.[60]

Airlines and destinations[edit]

Airlines Destinations
Air India Mumbai
Air India Express Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Bangalore, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Mumbai, Muscat
Air India Regional Bangalore
Jet Airways Dubai, Hyderabad, Mumbai
JetKonnect Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Raipur
SpiceJet Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai

Connectivity[edit]

Mangalore central railway station and Mangalore airport are connected by the bus services of the KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) City bus service.[61][62] The buses have a seating capacity of 41 passengers with provision for 20 passengers to commute standing.[62]

Taxis ply between airport and city of Mangalore. Prepaid taxi service available round the clock in the airport counter in the Arrival Hall.

Accidents and incidents[edit]

Mangalore Airport is located in a region, which receives highest rainfall in India.[63] Minor incidents have been reported from time-to-time during flight landing in the airport in the rainy season, specially overshooting of the runway.[64] This airport was witness to the third deadliest aviation disaster in India. This incident turned out to be a boon in disguise as major safety measures were implemented to improve the safety at the airport. Some of them are, 'distance to go markers' on the runway, the safety zone – the additional space between the runway and the cliff meant to act as outside force to bring aircraft to halt in emergencies – has been improved with addition of gravel and the strengthening of the retaining wall.[59][65] The major incidents have been listed below.

  • On 19 August 1981, Indian Airlines Flight 557, a HAL 748 VT-DXF overshot the 5,783 feet (1,763 m) old runway 27 at Mangalore-Bajpe Airport in wet weather.[66] The aircraft came to a halt just beyond the runway edge. While there were no fatalities, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was written off. One of the passengers on board was Veerappa Moily, then Finance Minister of Karnataka.[67] An investigation revealed that the pilot had not set the aircraft's flaps to the correct position for landing, and the aircraft had landed long on the runway and at excessive speed. The runway also had a downslope and the aircraft had landed with a tailwind. The aircraft involved was HAL 748 VT-DXF, with manufacturer's serial number 511,[66] it first flew in 1967.
  • On 22 May 2010, Air India Express Flight 812, a Boeing 737-800 VT-AXV, flying on the Dubai-Mangalore route, overshot the 8,033 feet (2,448 m) runway number 06/24, killing 158 people including 6 crew on-board; only 8 survived. The aircraft landed and subsequently crashed when it overshot the runway and veered into a steep gorge at the very end.[68] The starboard wing impacted the concrete socket of the Instrument landing system localiser antenna, breaking it and rendering it unusable,[69] this resulted in delayed or cancelled flights during two weeks when the monsoon rains reduced visibility.[69] It took the airport a little under a month to repair and calibrate the ILS and bring it back online.[70]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ a b c d [1] The Hindu Business Line 1 May 2013
  3. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 28 September 2012
  4. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 28 September 2012
  5. ^ TRAFFIC STATISTICS – INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT Airports Authority of India. Retrieved 28 September 2012
  6. ^ Mangalore Airport to get international tag in December The hindu, national news paper
  7. ^ Mangalore, General Information Official webite of airport authority of india
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  48. ^ Land needed for M’lore airport expansion: Minister
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  52. ^ Mangalore Airport exit road closed from tomorrow Times of India 19 February 2013
  53. ^ Sandhya C D'Souza, MANGALORE, Sep 26, 2012, DHNS : (2012-09-26). "Airbus 310 maiden landing in Mangalore on September 28". Deccanherald.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 
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  55. ^ Our Bureau. "Business Line : Industry & Economy / Logistics : Mangalore runway expansion: Preliminary notification soon for land acquisition". Business Line. Retrieved 2012-12-30. 
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  59. ^ a b TNN. "More international routes from Mangalore airport in 2013". The Times of India. Retrieved 2012-12-30. 
  60. ^ a b Special Correspondent (12 October 2012). "Cities / Mangalore : Another Mangalore-Mumbai daily flight from October 28". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-12-30. 
  61. ^ Mangalore: Seven KSRTC Buses Start Functioning in City Daijiworld.com
  62. ^ a b KSRTC launches seven new city services in Mangalore Times of India
  63. ^ "Annual Rainfall Map of India, Rainfall in India". Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 
  64. ^ Stanley Pinto, TNN Aug 15, 2012, 04.39PM IST (2012-08-15). "Air India flight makes hard landing in Mangalore, causes scare - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 
  65. ^ Special Correspondent (2011-10-28). "More safety measures at Mangalore airport". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 
  66. ^ a b "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2010-06-24. 
  67. ^ "Moily's close shave in Mangalore 30 years ago". The Hindu. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-24. 
  68. ^ "150 killed as Air India plane crashes in Mangalore". Hindustan Times. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  69. ^ a b Pinto, Stanley G (9 June 2010). "Airline companies bleed as flights get cancelled". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
  70. ^ "Instrument Landing System Begins Operation at Mangalore Airport Again". DaijiWorld.com. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 

External links[edit]

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