Retain AIE crew base in M'luru: MP Chowta

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta urged Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to intervene and retain the Air India Express crew base in Mangaluru.

In a letter to the minister, the MP highlighted the strategic and economic significance of Mangaluru International Airport. He described it as a vital aviation hub for the coastal region, Malnad and north Kerala.

Chowta warned that shutting down the crew base would have a profound impact, not only on the livelihoods of over 100 crew members and ancillary workers but also on passenger convenience. The Mangaluru base, he pointed out, demonstrated high operational efficiency with a 90.4% OTP and handling of over 1,300 tonnes of cargo, underscoring its economic relevance. "The presence of a local crew enables quicker turnarounds and enhances the passenger experience, especially for travellers from the coastal and Malnad regions of Karnataka and North Kerala," the MP stated. He further suggested that a decentralised model, with more regional crew bases, would strengthen operational efficiency and support India's expanding aviation sector.