Mangalore : The flights on Kuwait-Mangalore-Kozhikode route have stopped its operating from March 2014, since lease on flights borrowed by Air India Express have been expired, said KPCC general secretary Ivan D’Souza.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on May 5, Monday, he said that the Mangalore airport which was upgraded to international status to the demands of those who fly to GCC countries like Kuwait and the UAE very frequently. In fact the Kuwait-Mangalore-Kozhikode rout had minimized its flying time to four hours from 12-13 hours. But the flights which got cancelled have forced the passengers to fly from Mumbai like before.

Blaming the airport officials for delay in extending the airport runway and cancellation of Mangalore-Kuwait Air India Express operations, Ivan said that cargo terminal, which was supposed to make a business of Rs one lakh per month is now only making the business of Rs 30,000 and also the Air India is lifting the cargo which is supposed to do so.