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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Re-fuelling of aircraft and scheduling of crew might be a challenge but could be worked out.
- Chennai-Mysuru flight as promised should continue in addition to new flights suggested.
