Declaring Mangalore airport an international airport will benefit the region, according to Veerappa Moily, Union Corporate Affairs Minister.
In a press release here on Friday, Moily said Mangalore is the gateway to Karnataka. It has the potential to develop as an important commercial centre next to Mumbai on the West coast.
Taking advantage of the presence of a major port in the city, a number of industries were situated in Mangalore.
He said educational institutions in the region had attracted the attention of the world, and the region has developed as a hub of excellence.
“Mangalore airport has been functioning since 1951 and deserves to be declared an international airport,” Moily said.
Currently, Mangalore airport has the facilities to handle 400 passengers in the domestic arrival hall and 150 passengers in the international hall.
“I have been keenly pursuing the matter for a couple of years for its declaration as international airport keeping in view the welfare of international commuters and also the benefit of the region,” he said.
The October 4 meeting of the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal for declaring Mangalore airport an international airport along with four other airports in the country.