Sir,

Thanks to the untiring efforts of our MP and Chairman of Airport Advisory Committee Pratap Simha, UDAN flight for the Mysuru-Chennai-Hyderabad sector will be launched from Sept. 20. In a recent book release function, Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, an author of repute and a resident of Mysuru, had highlighted the necessity of air connectivity from Mysuru to Mangaluru and Hubballi.

In a meeting at the Mandakalli Airport (Sept.11), our MP indicated that he would request the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha the starting of a 12-seater night flight from Mysuru to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for the benefit of tourists and local citizens. Regarding this suggestion, I have a slightly modified suggestion as follows:

1. Allocate 12-seater commercial aircraft for 12 hours during daylight for three days in a week (to start with) to Mysuru-Mangaluru and Mysuru-Hubballi. Its parking and maintenance base has to be KIA at night.
2. At present, there are a number of international flights from KIA mainly departing from about 9 pm onwards and arriving from about midnight to early hours of the morning. There are quite a few international passengers from Mysuru, Kodagu and Nanjangud and as the international air travel is of 16-22 hours duration, these travellers would prefer a short hopping flight to and from Mysuru Airport.
3. This could be facilitated by an early morning flight at 6 am from KIA to Mysuru and a return flight from Mysuru to KIA at 6 pm.
4. The in-between 10 hours could be used for two flights, Mysuru-Mangaluru-Kannur (the airport is expected to be ready anytime soon)-Mysuru and Mysuru-Hubballi-Goa-Mysuru.
5. Re-fuelling of aircraft and scheduling of crew might be a challenge but could be worked out.
6. Chennai-Mysuru flight as promised should continue in addition to new flights suggested.

Though initially the response to these flights might be poor, I have a feeling that with increased international travellers from this region, the KIA-Mysuru flight in the morning and return in the evening would be a success. Connecting Mysuru with Mangaluru, Kannur, Hubballi and Goa would be an added bonus.

I would also like to request our MP to strongly make a case with the Minister on Sept. 20 for the runway extension for larger jet aircraft to operate. The modus operandi of building a tunnel or providing additional space for the highway around the new periphery of the extended runway would have to be worked out but considering that all over the world, road tunnel under the runway is a norm, I feel that is the best option to save agricultural land.

– U.B. Acharya, Jayalakshmipuram, 12.9. 2017

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