Bajpe Airport: Runway Length to be Increased from 8000 to 9000 ft


New Delhi, May 30 (PTI): The runway length of Mangalore airport, which saw a major air crash a week ago that claimed 158 lives, will be increased from the present 8,000 ft to 9,000 ft to include a larger spillover area, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has said. 
 
"In fact, we have already taken a decision to extend the runway from 8,000 ft to 9,000 ft. In that 9,000 ft, the spillover area and all such factors will be taken into account," the Minister said.

He maintained that the government would have an "open mind" to implement any measure arising out of the lessons from the Mangalore air crash.

Replying to questions in Karan Thapar's 'Devil's Advocate' programme in CNN-IBN, Patel said the existing 8,000 ft runway was "fully compliant" with all the required guidelines and had a spillover area of 90 metres, which is the threshold area of the runway, based on its length.

"Though I am not an expert, but I can say with a sense of responsibility that if there are any mandatory requirements which are not fulfilled, not only in Mangalore but at any other airport in the country, these shall be corrected."

To a question on having an approach radar at Mangalore, he said it was "already being contemplated. Whatever is required will be done".

Observing that the Mangalore runway was earlier 6,000 feet in length, he said the risks of flying the same type of aircraft was larger. The present one was a new runway, he said. "Whatever has to be learnt from the air crash and whatever has to be improved upon will be done," Patel said.

Soon after the crash, he said he had chaired a high-level meeting of officials and a Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC) was set up to advise Directorate General of Civil Aviation on all aspects relating to safety.

Asserting that "Indian aviation is safe", Patel said "aviation per se can only be either 100 per cent safe or zero. ... Aviation is not a game of chance .... Any error can lead to what happened in Mangalore," he said, adding that the inquiry would establish what led to the crash.

Asked whether the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the US Federal Aviation Administration had downgraded Indian aviation sector's safety record, he said it was "absolutely wrong. The ICAO and the FAA both have certified that (aviation in) India is 100 per cent safe."

While disagreeing with the suggestion that the DGCA rules and procedures were "stand alone" and did not match the international norms, Patel said the regulatory body would examine all issues in totality and take necessary decisions.

"Let us not scare people away. These are difficult times but let us not make it an issue where people lose faith in our own system," he added. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • advice, shareef

    Sun, Jun 06 2010

    I would like to advice our honorable minister kindly seek professional advise bfore promising us something. There are many factors involved. We cannot undo the past. But a lot of good can be  done in the future.

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  • delroy, Dubai

    Sat, Jun 05 2010

    Who will part with their land ??
    Who will allow develpment?
    Who will allow runway ?
    Who will allow trees to be broken ?
    Democracy is a misfit for INDIA

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vittal Shetty, Mangalore/sharjah

    Fri, Jun 04 2010

    Immediate action is highly appreciated,It will be more appreciated if it is 3000 more,i.e, 12000,A total and permanent solution.For this noble cause seeking contribution from big enterpreners and public defintely serve the purpose.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Tom Cat, Mangalore/ Saudi Arabia

    Tue, Jun 01 2010

    yeddy / moily /dharma adikari do you still intend to name this airport tulunadu international airport after this accident

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Yancy, Kodialbail

    Tue, Jun 01 2010

    Ted: I couldn’t agree with you more on this. Let me explain:

    Firstly, I felt that it was important to know that there is a time for everything. A time for smiling and a time for weeping. By changing the label from ‘photograph’ to ‘file photograph’ does not change anything. It simply does not match the situation. Does it !!

    Secondly, if the runway is fully compliant for landings and has been in operation for several years now, as you have said - Why is it being extended now ? can you explain ?.

    Just like the smiling minister, I am sure you also must have traveled outside Mlore & Bajpe to know and to understand how the bigger airports in the world look like. Consider Dubai Intl airports for example. I am not in the aviation industry for 35 years but my simple common sense tells me that the Bajpe airport at present although functional has no room for an error by the Pilot who is only human. This was my basic point. You can’t wait for an accident to happen before appropriate conditions are in place. This is the responsibility a minister carries when he approves a deal, however efficient he is. Heart o heart he knows it well and that is why he opted to resign was it not !!

    You are saying that ‘It has nothing to do wih the ministers common sense’. You are wrong. It has everything to do with it. Research, Studies, Conditions, Rules etc., are all needed to regulate processes but in every aspect of like the most important thing is ‘Common sense’ as to know how to apply and when to apply these rules and regulations. Common sense also tells you to look up at the bigger picture of things like the better airports and not down towards like the ones explained by you, the other fully functional smaller airports which are raised to healthy minimum levels. It is the human lives we are talking about. Big or small, you can’t afford to play around when you have the responsibility to deal with human lives. Thinking of things one step ahead than others will always help, before some one wakes you up. Have you ever wondered as to why you are not a minister even after 35 years in the same industry ?

    Whether you are a member of the grieving family or not, I truly believe these are constructive & useful comments

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  • Roshan Braganza, Udyavara

    Tue, Jun 01 2010

    Tomb Stone Technology! .....thats what airlines is all about!!. Disaster happens and then they take corrective meassures , as they were in deep sleep before. Looks like suddenly wisdom got onto corrupt DGCA officials. And our so called aviation minister Praful patel ( whoose '3 minutes to fam'e is organizing IPL Parties and hostess's ) going bla..bla... over this issue can make anybody sick.Whatever on a postive side.itz a good thing to happen..atleast on a safer side. Hope it will be implimented soon.

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  • A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

    Mon, May 31 2010

    We can't change the past and it was
    a painful tragedy.

    If the airport had 10000 ft,
    probably more lives, or all lives might have been saved.

    For the safe landing of a 737-800,
    it takes only 7166 ft on a wet
    day, and 6081 on a dry day. This
    size is applicable with a full
    load factor and favorable weather.

    From all the available information,
    also based on the voice data
    recorder, this accident was due
    to the misjudgment of the captain.

    A few months back, one flight from
    Singapore to Bombay flew over
    Bombay: because both the captain and co-pilot went to a deep sleep,
    and they were alerted by the Bombay
    ATC, so the plane made a circle and
    landed at Bombay. Majority of the
    plane crashes are due to the
    carelessness of the pilot. When we
    board a plane to fly over the
    ocean, we are simply putting all
    our trust in a couple of people
    sitting at the far front, and our
    lives are fully and blindly trusted
    with them. We need to pray very
    earnestly in every flight we make
    to have a safe landing. When a
    pilot friend told me that they
    engage the auto-pilot into action
    and sometimes both of them may accidently go to sleep (one must
    be alert at any given time while
    flying), I was scared to fly.

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  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    Mr Raju, Will blamimg the Minister bring our loved ones back?. Please understand that this is a tragedy. As I said in my earlier comment, our airport is fine, our runway is new and fine. There are so many airports around in India itself with worse landing conditions. The aircraft is one of the best and very reliable. The pilots too were good. Yet this tragedy occured, and we lost so many of our loved ones. Please accept this as an accident, learn what went wrong and work together, so that such a tragedy never occurs again. Simply stop the blame game, and stop blaming a minister or any one else. It will not help anyone.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jude, Mangalore Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    A lot of unwarranted comments blaming the Minister. Mr Praful Patel has been one of our best aviation ministers. Guys you demand an immediate extension of the runway.......Just wait and see how many people will object and file court cases when their land is accquired for the extension. What do you expect the minister to do. Just remember we do not live in a banana republic or a dictatorship where land can be taken away from you. the courts have to grant you the land. Why then blame the minister. Again allowing international airlines to operate is not an unilateral decision that can be taken by the minister. A lot of commities have to approve. Therefore do not blame him for no reason. The present runway is fine. The aircarft was almost brand new and top class. The pilots were experienced. Just a small blunder on their part resulted in this tragedy. Call it human error. A fitting lesson for others to learn. In the meantime it is for all the families who have lost their loved ones to suffer. It could have been you or me.

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  • akyar mulla, shiruru / Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    Civil Aviation waiting for the tragedy,any way good step to prevent further tragedy ,waite and watch when project will finished ,thanks daijiworld

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  • raju, mangalore

    Mon, May 31 2010

    Mr nithin, manglore/muscat & the Guru Mangalore, if ur family member would have dead in that flight. ur comment on this would be different

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  • Placida, Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    In the past everyday one or two domestic airoplanes use to land at Bajpe airport. Now things are changed, the present need is bigger and wider airport.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ANIKA, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    this comment is for Mr.Max
    According your comment....flight crash happend because it was Operated by airindia ...and in other carrier it will not happen is it????????you people realy crazy....may be un educated so u dont have the streangth to understnd the fact
    but you people dont forget that first flight strts from mangalore -dubai was AIE.....

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  • Ummer Kunhi, Perinje/Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    Mr.Minister u guys talk less please! do more in prctcl.start work on runways imdtlly.

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  • Alex, Kuwait

    Mon, May 31 2010

    The increase of length by 1000 ft or 2000 ft is not sufficient to land any wider body or long range aircrafts to land ( unless you think only of B737s and A320s), which need a still larger space to move and takeoff and land. So Bajpe airport will have limitations all around and could thousands of crores to improve even to lengthen the runway by just 1000 ft and other facilities.
    Why to decorate an old dying white elephant. This is a perpetual problem for Bajpe.

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  • Mushtak Ahmed, Mangalore - Dubai

    Mon, May 31 2010

    All are responsible, we cannot blame a single person Mr. Patel. Now it’s time to build our Mangalore Airport as International grade Runway, so that not only GCC country, every country people can fly directly to Mangalore with different high quality Airlines flights (hence, Three of this year’s accidents happened to ‘Low Cost Carriers’.They accounted for 353 deaths. - retired pilot). So passenger can have the choice of ion in flights.

    Length should be more than 12000 Ft (or as much as they can) like Mumbai or New Delhi runways.

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  • Jawar D'Souza, M'lore/Doha

    Mon, May 31 2010

    Good news to hear the increase of the runway Fighter planes are landing on ships why cant we have a system to arrest the plane if it over shoot's the runway like the fighter's do on the ship a sort of sling to hold the plane.Even we can have parashoot behind like the race car's have.

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  • The Guru, Mangalore

    Mon, May 31 2010

    We shouldnt blame the govt on this , since this airport is operational for more than 60 years now...

    Our Hon Min Praful patel is doing good job and the latest news is that the pilot didnt listen to the co-pilot not land , it clearly shows the pilot error..

    Patel said the runway will be extended by another 1000 ft, so my question is that if land required for this extension is owned by some of the minorities will they give it to the govt or will there b protests for another 10 years for the same?

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  • WASIM, UDUPI/DUBAI

    Mon, May 31 2010

    DONT MAKE 9000 FEET. WE WANT THAT RUNWAY 12000 FEET. IF IT IS SEA LEVEL AIRPORT THAT TIME THIS LENGTH IS OK. SEE HOW HE SMILING WHILE ANNOUNCING. SOME BODY COMMENTING JUST A ACCIDENT. I WISH HE IS WAITING FOR OTHER INCIDENT WITH HIS FAMILY ON SAME AIRPORT. THAT TIME HE WILL SAY ITS JUST A ACCIDENT. WE NEED 12000 FEET RUNWAY SO AIRCRAFT LIKE A330-200 AND 777-300ER CAN LAND SAFELY HERE. AIR TRAFFIC IS VERY HUGE IN THIS TIME SOME TIME OTHER BIGGER AIRLINE MIGHT SEEK EMERGENCY LANDING HERE THEN WHAT WILL DO WE CAN SAVE OTHERS LIFE TOO.

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  • Adrian Gomes, Shirva / Kuwait

    Sun, May 30 2010

    It is good news that at least after this indigestible tragedy has occurred, it has been announced that the runway will be extended as a matter of safety, although it can be termed as a pilot error the very fact that the aircraft has landed at the wrong touch down point with a greater speed.

    On the other hand as a matter of additional safety, perhaps if every seat had a small fire extinguisher (like in the cars) placed in a safe location perhaps under seat or so like the life vests, a few more passengers could save their lives as I heard this story below from one of the guys who visited the location of the crash and met the person who took out a lot of charred bodies -

    It seems that when the aircraft crashed and was in initial flames the guy was out and the passengers were inside the crashed aircraft and there was a wall of fire in between when the people were asking for help. But the people outside couldn't go inside due to the fire and likewise the people inside couldn't jump out due to fire and invisibility of flames. So if a few passengers at least could get these fire extinguishers in hand, then perhaps they could use them for clearing the area around them when the fire was in the very initial stage. On the other hand perhaps these fire extinguishers could be of help in any type of accident which is unknown. This issue is not for AIR INDIA EXPRESS alone, but perhaps for all carriers as a Suggestion.

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  • Zara Zahir, Udupi/Abu Dhabi

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Civil Aviation waiting for the tragedy,any way good step to prevent further tragedy ,waite and watch when project will finished ,thanks daijiworld

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  • Kumar Fernandes, Mudarangadi/ Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear Readers, I fully agree with Mr. Max, Dubai/Mangalore. Why our great minister does not permit other airline to operate in the same route of AIE? He must travel in AIE as common man and experience ROYAL (?) the facility provided by AIE.

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  • nithin, manglore/muscat

    Sun, May 30 2010

    dear readers i dont understand y all are blaming 2 patel, he is the minister it dosent mean he is the pilot of Air india xpress which was crashed, when he accepted the mistake and now rectifying to sort it out but still u got some probs,pls wat ever happen is happened now lets see better in future rather goin back and showin fingers to others...
    well as far as the pic where Mr Patel smiling , its his old pic, you guys do not understand and just start 2 comment rubbish

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  • Prashant, Mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Fine with the idea of extending the present runway. By saying this the most important fact to find out why the alternative and safer airport location suggested before building the new runway at Balpe was not considered will be forgotten. Let finding this fact also be a priority along with the extension of the present runway and bring out the culprits who opposed the safer location for their personal benefit and killed the innocents.

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  • Jossey Saldanha, Kemmannu

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Extending the runway by 1000 feet is a big hogwash.

    On August 2, 2005, an Air France Airbus 340 flight overshot the Toronto runway and went down the ravine. The terrain was similar to the Bajpe airport overrun area. The difference - all 307 survived the post-crash fire and were rescued. The 158 passengers in India were not so lucky with the rescue effort at Bajpe. Are all our airports capable of quick emergency response and rescue efforts? Areas surrounding the airports are all built up and there is no clear passage for crash tenders to access an aircraft in case of an accident during approach or during a take-off.

    What needs to be done is to hold the plane within the periphery of the table top in times of crises. I suggest the concerned authorities to build a wall and fasten huge tires of heavy earth movers on the inside periphery of the wall. This should take the impact of the plane and protect the plane from falling over.

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  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udipi

    Sun, May 30 2010

    This extra length of runway must be named after the martyrs of the AI Express crash, as the crash and death of 158 prompted the govt to seek an extension to the runway.

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  • shanu, dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    I Agree with you Mr.MAX.....Boycott

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  • R.I.S, Mangalore / Kuwait

    Sun, May 30 2010

    As a Mangalorean, I feel so sad this tragic accident happened in Mangalore.
    Also want to advice ppl who coment & write against gov. ppl wake up. this is an accident. its not purposely done. that why we call it accident. so far almost 2 years where were you ppl to blame gov or airport authority while runway work is on progress? this mishap happened in Mangalore and you people suddenly woke up from sleep. common people. please don't blame simply with out thinking. we Mangaloreans are educated well we must not speak like this. just wait and let truth come out from investigation.you ppl only know when minister told that, runway is 1,000 ft short. If he wouldn't informed about this, you people not knowing at all about this & would kept quit and all you ppl would blamed something els. If If this particular mishap happened because of this new runway, then accident should happen daily. so many international as well as domestic flights landing daily.So please think with cool mind before accusing anybody or criticizing the gov. we Mangalorens want development, but we are not cooperating to the administration. we need good airport and long runway, but we are not ready to give our land for this cause. we Mangaloreans only know to point fingers to other people or know to criticize gov policy. we are like crabs. if somebody does progress, we cant see it and we are trying to pull them down with all our effort. Plz request you, lets pray togather for those family who lost their loved ones.

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  • munna, bangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Y its only 9000 y not 10000...? waiting for one more catastrophe..?

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  • Hameed Nellikunnu, Madina/Saudi Arabia

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Yet another Indian story of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Lets hope that no more precious lives will be lost at airports like Mangalore which are in a muddle.

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  • Francis Fernades, Udupi/Uchila-Abudhabi

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Congratulation,,,,,Mr,Patel,,,,,
    Now the table top is on your head,,,,damit,,,,

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  • raju, mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    why are u smiling. is the smile for dead one's, you are a moron, u didn't want other airlines like jet,kingfisher to travel internationally,because it will be big loss for airindia express that's why u intentionally made 8000 feet.. we are not fools..

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  • Mohammed Sherief, Bajpe / Dammam

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Its really unfortunate that 158 of our brothers and sisters was sacrificed their lives to increase 1000 ft of runway. Therefore, this run way is very expensive for us.

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  • alwyn dsouza, mglore/dxb

    Sun, May 30 2010

    mr praful..after so many years nw u realised that runway shld b increased..til nw u ver sleepyg i guess...

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  • adshenoy, mangloor

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Mr. Patel, we cannot bring back the lives of 158 people. While you claim the airport met standards, I must say you had an obligation to study this airport in and out and perhaps the lenght prescribed even may not be sufficient to this airport given the location. There are sugestions in international standards even to increase runaway lenghts even more than the prescribed lenght to support safety and vuknerability.

    As a minister you must hold personal responsibity and indeed you owe 158 lives for pure negligence by the authorities concerned.

    We are losing faith in the system when there is no accountabilty and corrupyion and lobbying is rampant in indian political system amd governance.

    As Indian I must say the government does not care about the helpless people as long as the capitalist run this establishment for making profits at the cost of the poor public.

    Do we need a Shangai? or do we need a corruptionless political system to care the nations poor masses?

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  • George Cruz, Mangalorte/USA

    Sun, May 30 2010

    It is a smart decision even though it came bit late.

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  • M.Mathias, Mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    No need of this but still this is a good decision.

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  • Arun Menezes, Udupi/Kallianpur

    Sun, May 30 2010

    It is a good thing, but a safe runway lenght would be 9000 Feet 1000 Feet Spilover Area, that makes it 10000 feet and Mr. Mimister please increase the width also it has to be 150 meters from the mid point to the right and 150 meters to the left, so total width has to be 300 meters.

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  • shameem, chokkabettu/kuwait

    Sun, May 30 2010

    nice plan. But I have to say y didn't u think before. if u think before atleast you can extend thier life runway of some inocent people who had lost their lives.

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  • Noel Coutinho, Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear Daijiworld Editor,

    Thank you very much for your meaningful and supportive coverage of this unfortunate incident.
    It is really painful to bear the loss of our beloved ones in such a tragic air crash, that too after touching the home soil. My heart goes out to all the families and friends who has to bear this irrecoverable loss.

    No amount of money can compensate for a valuable life. The only reason why it is paid is to support the future of the dependants.

    As far as my knowledge goes Visa and Master cards has good amount of life and loss coverage for the passangers whose has bought their tickets using any credit cards.

    As most of the families may not be aware of this insurance benefit, can you please arrange to get the details and procedures on the same and publish it on your web site ?

    Thanks once again for your constructive reporting and social worthiness.

    - Noel

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  • SHAMEEM, CHOKKABETTU / KUWAIT

    Sun, May 30 2010

    nice plan. But I have to say y didn't u think before. if u think before atleast you can extend thier life runway of some inocent people who had lost their lives.

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  • raghavendra bhandari, Udupi,Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Chenniga raya chennigaya raya yeddelu jana netharu kottu sattharu...central govt now wake up, after our people gave their head to these care less government...shame on our govrnmnt

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  • ALLWYN THOMAS PAIS, MIRA ROAD/DUBAI

    Sun, May 30 2010

    AT THE EXPENSE OF 158 PEOPLE NOW HE HAS DECIDED TO ADD EXTRA 1000 SQ FEET,
    RESIGNATION DRAMA WAS TO GET SOME SYMPATHY,
    GO TO EVERYBODYS HOUSE WHO HAS LOST HIS FAMILY MEMBER AND SHOW SOME COURTSIE.
    DONT SMILE.AT THIS MOMENT WE DONT NEED SMILE WE NEED RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN GRIEF AND SORROW, NOW YOU PEOPLE HAVE GOT UP FROM YOUR SLEEP.
    WE DONT NEED IDEAS WE NEED IMPLEMENTATION.
    THOMAS

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  • mohammad, Mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Why fill up and make alterations all the time? Why just not shift the airport to some convenient open area, with all the general facilities nearby and even the biggest aircraft like boeing can be landed with ease.

    These extensions and alterations will not attract the high standard international airlines.
    Just give a second thought Mr. Praful.

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  • shanu, dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear patel ji....not only extension need PAPI lights for 100% perfect landing as well as please try to improve (ILS)instrument landing system ,Approach lights,Touchdown lights, and also install runway end lights for identification,Please install QinetiQ radars to identify (F.O.D)s Foreign Object Debris at night time as soon as possible,

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  • Ted, Magalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Yancy,Kodialbail
    We know evrybody is troubled with the recent disaster. But I should say your tirades are uncalled for. Fist of all, the photo of the aviation Minister is a file photo. Secondly, the runway is fully compliant for landings and has been in operation for several years now. What happened weeks ago was a mishap. It has nothing to do wih the ministers common sense. It's only a matter of how prudently the resources are used in fully functonal orports while those lacking minimum facilities are raised to healthy and minimum levels.

    It would be great if all of us exercised some constraint before making comments, since there are so many aspects in the working of aviation industry. It is really hard to appreciate the enormity of it. I say this having been in te avoation industry for 35 years.

    Also, if you know of any other airport that lacks basic facilities,bring it to th notice bow. You can do this thru daijiworld. You dont have to wait till a disaster has happened.
    As a member ofthe grieving family, I can say nobody wants to listen to your comments unless they are constructive.

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  • shaik shakeel, mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    These are just promises made to pacify the situation.
    It took 50 years for Managalore airport to have the recognition of international airport, Took 60 years to have a new runway and terminal bldg.
    How Long we have to wait???

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  • daisy vas/pinto, Mangalore/Canada

    Sun, May 30 2010

    We have to remember that the flights were running on 6000 ft and the new runway is 8000 ft and unfortuanately happened due to so many other factors involved with this issue. I read a comment from one pilot who works for us that "sorry to say that the many incident like this happens due to pilot error". We have take precuationary mesaures to avoid such events in future. The proper guidance needed from pilots to all the employees including the control room staff. We should not forget that the pilot landed ill fated aircraft beyond 1500.

    Moreover, that minister's photograph is taken may be while inaugurating the new runway. Cool down. But of course we can raise our voice to protect everyone in future. Let's not take anything for granted

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  • donald, Toronto

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear Mr Patel,
    I suggest that the runway be extended by 2000 feet at one stroke,why can't the Govt and Civil Aviation ministry allot funds to extend runway with one contract.

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  • Amit,

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Finally 158 people had to die to open the eyes , why not make a slope all the way to the hospital too just incase the overworked pilot overshoots again . dumbwits

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  • P. Prakash , Mangalore/Muscat

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Is it just a hollow promise or a serious talk by the honourable Minister? Will he walk the talk? Or do we have to wait for the runway to be lengthened until another crash takes place?

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  • Mujeeb Rehman Kanhangad, Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    This should have planned along with the construction of new terminal.If you oversee 10 years future,a new runway with much more length will be meaningfull decision.But our politicians only think about present which is past tommorrow.

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  • V-vicky, mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    This 9,000 ft runway only for air india express or other airlines can land this airport? again question arises? Better to go for 10,000 ft, for future projects? what about the width area?

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  • Rajesh, Barbados

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Yancy!,
    No words more to add on this, well said!
    Now guys chance to drag political party in to this. Let me start, corrupted congress man so far done is just this type of work for all of us. At least they make enough money for them and for their family.
    Where are those , who were trying to justify Mangalore airport had everything what an airport should have as per the international std!!

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  • Langoolacharya, Belman/USA

    Sun, May 30 2010

    "Ketta mele Buddi"

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  • ruchir agarwal, mangalore

    Sun, May 30 2010

    perhaps this was a older photo hence smiling on his achivement

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  • Najam Batrekere, Bajpe

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Great news.
    'Sub kuch lota ke Ab hosh main Aaye to kiya howa !'

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  • Alexander P Menezes, Karkala/Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear Yancy Kodialbail,
    That was bit too harsh of you on Mr. Patel. Yes, his smiling face sends out a wrong signal in this times of sadness but as you know he is a politician and generally politicians do not have any emotions.
    By the way, the current length of the airstrip or runway is perfectly alright for the safe landing of A320's. We all by now know that it was a pilot error during the landing of this particular aircraft much ahead of the normal touchdown point. I hope this extension of runway by 1000 feet will surely give the much needed confidence to the pilots for a safe landings.

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  • Ram Kumar, Udupi / Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Mr. Yancy, I totally disagree with your comment. Well, the accident was just unfortunate there is no point in blaming anyone for it. Bajpe airport has a history of 60years among which the International flights are landing since 4 yrs. In these 4 yrs even I too have travelled more than 10 times to Mangalore from Dubai in Air India Express. This is the first time such an accident happening in Mangalore airport. There are more complicated airports in the world than Bejpe. Only one thing is that the pilot should know how and where to land, this does not mean that I am blaming the pilot, mistakes happens from human beings. No one is perfect in this world neither you nor me.

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  • Stany D'sa, Balehonnur/Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Airport Runway should be in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Norms and as per the guide lines of DGCA. I still doubt that,the additional 1000 ft runway will safeguard the Air Crafts landing in Mangalore.. Moreover our Air Port control syestems require adequate development and research.

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  • abdul sattar habibullah, belapu/Sharjah

    Sun, May 30 2010

    It is a good news that the runway of manglore airport will be increased 1000 ft more but the deep valley next to the airport must be level so that the in future nothing will happend like this big tragedy which takes so many peoples love. Othewise the runway should be expand the side of city more far than the deep valley which makes helpless to the fire fighters and other helping societies because they have no source of way to approach to the crash sight immediately. If it is 10000 ft much better. This airport is famous as a tabletop airport in the world. More flights are landing and take off especially from the gulf region are boings. So this is my humble request to the Aviation Minister and ruling Government to take necessary action immediately because no body can show a finger to the Commanders and co piolet because if it is other airport like Bangalore and Bombay the piolet can take off and land safely. thank u daiji,

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  • Yancy, Kodialbail

    Sun, May 30 2010

    This extension should have been done long time ago, before the accident. Didn’t you do some homework before you gave your approval for the present runway ? Haven’t you traveled anywhere else to know the basics of common sense.

    Why the  did you tender your resignation and still there ? You must have thought that by showing your un-asked-for resignation would have gained you some sympathy which actually has backfired on you.

    By the way, Why are you grinning like an idiot ! Can’t you show some respect at least to the dead by showing some seriousness.

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  • Rafeeq Ibrahim, Bantwala /Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Good news for mangaloreans

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  • EDWARD, MANGALORE

    Sun, May 30 2010

    TAKING THIS POSITIVE STEP AFTER THE GREAT TRAGIDY, WHICH 158 INNOCENT LIVES LOST DUE TO CRASH, WHY IT HAD NOT DONE BEFORE. CAN YOU BELEIVE MANGALORE RUNWAY HAVE ONLY 90 METERS SPILLOVER, IS IT ENOUGH LIKE THIS TABLE TOP AIRPORT? THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE VERY LONG BEFORE, THEN ATLEAST DURING OVERSHOOT, THIS PLANE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK ON SPLILLOVER AREA & THOSE LIVES WOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED. SO AT THE END EVERY EXPERT BELEIVES THAT MANGALORE RUNWAY IS NOT ENOUGH FOR SAFE LANDING, UNLESS THEY INSTALL AUTOMATIC LANDING EQUIPMENT.

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  • Vasant Raj, Udupi/Abudhabi

    Sun, May 30 2010

    A very good step, but start the job immediately.

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  • Max, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Dear Mr. Patel
    Air India is to blame for the crash. Air India is one of the worst carrier, it will remain same. Please allow other carriers like Jet airways, kingfisher or fly Dubai/Air Arabia to operate to Mangalore directly otherwise all Mangaloreans will boycott Air India. I urge fellow Mangaloreans not to travel on Air India Express anymore. learn the lesson from crash.

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  • Joseph, Qatar

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Can Daijiworld kindly explain if this fellow Praful was actually "smiling" when he was announcing the increase of the Mangalore airport runway. If so, just look at the cheek, this guy is talking in a very casual manner as if he is doing a favour by announcing the increase in the airport runway length. These type of people adopt a care-a-damn-attitude even if lives are lost, on the contrary they want to hog the newsmedia as if they have achieved something great or done a very big favour. There is hardly the slightest remorse writ large on his face just a week after the aircrash. Obviously, it goes without saying that his family has not been a victim, so why should he care. Ultimately, we, the passengers are treated like cattle. He has now washed off his hands thinking that during his tenure he did a gratitude by disbursing compensation aid to the victims of the aircrash in the speedest possible way. These type of people are bunch of liabiities on themselves and on others. Good-for-nothing, utterly useless, to say the least.

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  • Affan/Adnan A. Latif, dammam,k. s. a.

    Sun, May 30 2010

    Very good news,please try to improve the air port at your earliest,do not give the chance to repeat the same any more.

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  • Ahmed, Mangalore/Saudi

    Sun, May 30 2010

    It should be more than 10,000ft. Any how you planned for expansion so please do it at least 10,000ft.

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Title: Bajpe Airport: Runway Length to be Increased from 8000 to 9000 ft



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