MP Brijesh Chowta writes to centre urges to retain Mangaluru as Air India Express crew base
Mangaluru: Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta has written to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, seeking urgent intervention to prevent the closure of Air India Express’ crew base in Mangaluru.
In his letter, Chowta emphasized the strategic importance of Mangaluru International Airport, which has been operational since 1951 and serves as a key aviation hub for Coastal Malnad and North Kerala.
Highlighting the potential effects, Chowta stated that shutting down the crew base would significantly impact both airline employees and travelers.
He noted that over 100 crew members and ancillary workers would be displaced, causing strain on the region’s workforce. Furthermore, he pointed out that the airport's high operational efficiency which is boasting a 90.43% on-time performance (OTP) and handling over 1,300 tons of cargo highlights its necessity.
The MP also stressed that local crew members’ familiarity with the airport enables efficient operations, which would be disrupted by the closure.
He also urged the DGCA to explore decentralized approaches to crew bases, which he believes would improve India’s overall aviation network.
Pleased to have met Union Minister of Civil Aviation Sri Ram Mohan Naidu @RamMNK
— Captain Brijesh Chowta ಕ್ಯಾಪ್ಟನ್ ಬ್ರಿಜೇಶ್ ಚೌಟ (@CaptBrijesh) April 4, 2025
at his office in the Parliament premises today.
Discussed various issues including the ongoing land acquisition of the Mangalore International Airport for expansion and security purposes, which I… pic.twitter.com/56CEpOBQvC
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Man arrested in Kerala for molestation case in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A suspect has been arrested for allegedly molesting a woman at Suddaguntepalya here earlier this month, police said.
Santosh aged about 29 has been arrested from Kerala's Kozhikode, they said.
The incident allegedly occurred at 1.55 am on April 3 in Suddaguntepalya and the CCTV footage attributed to the incident had gone viral.
When two women were walking on the street that day, a man, whose face was not visible, grabbed one of them and harassed her. He had immediately fled the scene when the women screamed for help.
The police had registered an FIR under sections 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), and 78 (stalking) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda had recently said that efforts were on to trace the suspect based on CCTV verification, and footage from more than 300 cameras were examined by investigators.
He had also said that multiple teams were formed to nab the accused.
