MYSORE: With the countdown for the world famous Dasara2010 having begun, Kingfisher Airlines is all set to bring in more tourists to Mysore. The private airliner has agreed to operate from Mandakalli Airport in Mysore from the first week of October.
Kingfisher will be introducing flights between BangaloreMysore and Chennai.
This was announced by MP H Vishwanath during a meeting convened by the Association of Informed and Concerned Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) to discuss the operation of Mandakalli Airport on Friday.
Vishwanath informed in the meeting that Rajeev Gupta, Chief of Mandakalli Airport, had telephoned him on Friday morning to confirm Kingfisher Airlines' decision to operate ATR aircraft from the first of week of October.
Rajeev Gupta also assured to take up inspection soon, before the commencement of flight operations, he added.
He informed that the aircraft will fly between Bangalore and Mysore and Mysore and Chennai.
Vishwanath also suggested the authorities present in the meeting to provide free parking for tourist vehicles.
Department of Tourism can approach all the 180 High Commissioners' offices to draw the attention of international tourists for Dasara, he suggested.
M Lakshmana, Convenor of ACICM, drew the attention of the authorities of Mandakalli Airport to name it after Sir M Visvesvaraya or Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. However, Vishwanath said it would not be possible to allow change in name as it would create law and order problems.
Speaking on the occasion, Jayaram, Assistant Director, Department of Tourism elaborated on the plans of the department for Dasara.
Jayaram said that the department has plans to announce exemption in flight charges for the tourists travelling to Mysore from cities like Bangalore, Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad during Dasara.
He also drew the attention of the authorities on the proposed additional land of 1,000 acres for the expansion of the Mandakalli Airport under the PPP project along with the construction of five new airports and its impact on the farmers.
In response, Jayanna, Commissioner, Mysore Urban Development Authority, said they had already handed over 159 acres of land and 450 acres are to be handed over in second phase for Mandakalli Airport.