Mangalore: Udupi - Chikmagalur MP K Jayaprakash Hegde has written to Union minister for civil aviation Ajith Singh requesting him to take steps to introduce direct flights to Saudi Arabia from Mangalore International Airport (MIA).
The MP quoting a feasibility report prepared in association with coastaldigest.com, a news portal, said that over two lakh people from south west coast are working in Saudi Arabia.
"Mangalore airport is the nearest airport for people of coastal Karnataka and Malnad regions, and Kasargod in northern Kerala. Hence it will be convenient if the civil aviation ministry direct the concerned to operate direct flights between Mangalore and Saudi Arabia," Hegde said.
Quoting the study report, Hegde said, 60% of the people of the region, who are working in Saudi Arabia, travel once in a year.
17/01/13 Vinobha K T/Times of India
