Mangalore to Ahmedabad Air India Flights

  About Mangalore

Nestled amid the lap of the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other, is this quaint paradisiacal city, Mangalore. It is the chief port city of the state of Karnataka and an important contributor to the economy as well as cultural heritage.

Best time to visit Mangalore

Mangalore's charming weather continues to stay between September and April, making it the best months to visit the coastal city. The humidity is minimal, and the temperature barely crosses beyond 30 degree Celsius, making it ideal for travellers. Summers do get too hot to handle as the humidity in the air soars. The monsoon is also quite unfavourable owing to the excessive rainfall that the city experiences. Perhaps skip the months July and August too. It is noted that the flight tickets to Mangalore drop during the off-season, which makes it convenient for travellers to visit the city.

Places to visit in Mangalore

Panambur Beach

The coastal city of Mangalore has a plethora of beaches to check out. However, the one that manages to stand out is the Panambur beach. In a popularity race among all the beaches in Mangalore, Panambur certainly takes the cake. Annually, the beach organises an International Kite Festival which witnesses a throng of participants and audience. There are other competitions like boat race, sculpture making contests and more.

Kudroli Gokarnath Temple

The Gokarnath Temple, also known as the Gokarnatheshwara Temple, has been built to honour Lord Shiva. With Dravidian-style architecture and gorgeous golden Gopurams, the temple's beauty is worth mentioning. Devotees often come here to seek blessings of Lord Shiva, who is known for his kind heart. By evening, the temple lights up the premise with yellow lights, adding to the aesthetic beauty of the structure.

Bejai Museum

A trip to explore a city is incomplete without a visit to the museum. At the Bejai Museum, you will be amazed by the collection of artefacts, weapons, coins and basically historical paintings and sculptures that depict the history of the city. The museum came into existence in 1955 and was founded by Col. VR Mirajkar. The city's museum is certainly an interesting trip that you should take up.

St. Aloysius Chapel

One of the main tourist attractions in Mangalore is the stunning white St Aloysius Chapel. People of faith visit the church to seek blessings while some who are marvelled by the pristine architecture take a tour of the church complex. Either way, the best part about the church is the setting and ambience. St Aloysius faces the sea, which brings forth a scenic backdrop. There are some lovely paintings within the church too that have been painted by Antonio Moscheni, an Italian artist.

Ullal Beach

While the Panambur beach's fame could attract far too many tourists, the Ullal beach would be able to give you the peace and tranquillity you've been looking for. The exquisite coast of the beach lined with palm trees is a scenic bliss that would stay in your memory. Although the beach is a few kilometres away from the main city, the calm and quiet ambience certainly makes all the travelling worth it.

Kadri Manjunatha Temple

The city does have a handful of temples and religious institutions. The Kadri Manjunatha Temple is more than ten centuries old and has been constructed in a classic Vijaynagari style. It's intriguing to note that there is some Buddhist-influenced architecture too that can be found in the temple premise.

Sultan Batthery

You will come across this suggestion to visit Sultan Batthery when you visit Mangalore. It is one of the most fascinating locations and has an interesting story too. The watchtower was constructed by Mysore prince Tipu Sultan to keep an eye on the ships that would possibly arrive to invade the city.

Things to do in Mangalore

Surfing

Mangalore has some enthusiastic water sports organisers who conduct activities like snorkelling, surfing and more. They are certainly making the most of their coasts by indulging in water activities. You can also do the same.

Indulge in Konkani-Mangalorean cuisine

Mangalore's food scene is simply top-notch. The variety of cuisine or the dishes from their own Konkani-Mangalorean roots is beyond amazing. You will be thrilled by the tastes and flavours the food has to offer. From Gajali's lip-smacking seafood to gadbad ice cream, the streets of Mangalore city are waiting for you to splurge on their cuisine!

Spindrift

Mangalore's very own brewery, Spindrift is one such place that you would totally enjoy if quaint setting with mindful music is your scene. It is the city's first brewery and enjoys an excellent reputation for amazing drinks and great food. Spindrift would easily be considered one of the best places in the city to unwind and relax.

A day at the Pilikula Nisargadhama

Pilikula Nisargadhama is a melange of educational entertainment which works for kids and adults. The vast complex has a zoo, an amusement park, a massive golf course, a heritage village and even a planetarium! You can use an entire day to explore the park and enjoy what they have to offer.

Food and Restaurants in Mangalore

As a coastal city, the staple food of Mangalore is undoubtedly seafood. However, as a city with multitudes of religious amalgam, the Mangalorean cuisine is also quite intriguing with the spice being the centre of attention. You can indulge in the lip-smacking Konkani-styled fish thali followed by the famous Gadbad ice cream during your trip to Mangalore. Mangalorean and Konkani seafood isn't the only thing that will keep you busy. There are some famous joints which also emulate the famous Goan dishes such as vindaloo, pork and more. Plus, eventually, as a South Indian city, there is bound to be the classic idli, vada, sambar cuisine that many adore.

To get the best of Konkani Mangalorean food, head straight to the New Taj Mahal Cafe, Machali Restaurant, Mangala Restaurant and Gajalee. Sagar Ratna is a famous chain of restaurants that you can find in the city. Indulge in some delicious Udupi cuisine with ragi dosas and neer dosas while sipping a glass of kaapi. Speaking of which, you should definitely visit Hotel Karthik for the exceptional filter kaapi with tuppa dosa. It would be a crime to leave the city without tasting the popular Gadbad ice cream at Pabba's Ice Cream Shop.

How to reach Mangalore (Transportation)

By Air

Mangalore International Airport is perched upon a hilltop and is 15 km away from the city centre. The airport witnesses numerous flights coming in and out from within India and overseas. Flights for Mangalore are aplenty, and it is the second busiest airport in Karnataka. Flight connectivity from Mangalore to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Hubli are impeccable. Various domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet have dedicated flights to Mangalore that fly daily. The domestic and international routes of Mangalore does witness air traffic as flights are coming in from within India as well as abroad.

Mangalore along with Lengpui and Kozhikode are the only three airports in India that have tabletop runways. For travellers, this would be quite the visual spectacle to see the flight land on a mountain plateau. The old terminal of Mangalore is used for direct international flights to Madinah in Saudi Arabia and is mainly reserved for pilgrims who undertake to go to Hajj. There are international routes from Mangalore connecting flights to Dubai as well. The flight connectivity from Mangalore to Middle Eastern countries as well as domestic cities is exemplary and hence, makes it one of the busiest airports. There are bus shuttle services from the airport to the main city. You can also take taxi cab services to reach the main city.

By Rail

The city also has a dedicated main railway station called the Mangalore Junction Railway Station. The railway is brilliantly connected with various cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Karwar, Delhi, Pune and more. There are express trains as well as mails. Due to the heavy demand that Mangalore-bound trains have, it is best to book tickets to the city in advance. You can also book a hotel ahead of your visit to Mangalore. Since the railway station is located within the city, transit around the main area of Mangalore is convenient. You can simply get a rickshaw or bus to take you around the city.

By Road

There are direct buses from various cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kochi, Ooty, Coimbatore, to name a few, that travel to Mangalore. Most of them are private-owned buses with AC and Non-AC Volvo options for the passenger to pick. You can even opt for sleeper or seater buses depending on which one is comfortable for you. The travelling time to Mangalore by bus is slightly high as it is in a corner. However, as long as you opt for a ride that falls in your schedule, you can reach without any hassle. Plus, the bus halts at various junctions within the city, so it is very convenient to the passenger.

  About Ahmedabad

The city of Ahmedabad is known to be the fifth largest in India and is quite the commercial hub of the state. It is easily one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which also plays a centre for education and various industries. Even though it is not the capital of the state, Ahmedabad has immense scope for development and has been rapidly growing. The city plays an excellent host to a traveller who wishes to experience more of the city's history, development and spirituality. While the development sphere continues to expand in the city, the authorities are further following the Swachcha Bharat campaigns to maintain a neat town.

Ahmedabad is impeccably connected with the rest of the major cities in India. Besides, the international flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is excellent. Reaching the city is easy from all means of transport. As for accommodations, abundant options are ranging from luxury hotels to hostels for all kinds of travellers. You can opt for a fun staycation by booking your hotels in Ahmedabad and make the most of your time in the city. The city also has some great educational institutions that one can consider. In fact, the student crowd in Ahmedabad is rising as the opportunities are immense.

Best time to visit Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad's summers can get pretty rough and hot, but the monsoon and winter are equally pleasant. Interestingly, the Gujaratis actually have specific dishes for every season. For summer, aam ras and dishes made from mango. As for winter, their famous undiyo takes over the kitchens and streets! The monsoon also has some cool street food that one can indulge in, when in the city.

Monsoons are typically dedicated to fun street snacks such as roasted corn, boiled corn and some essential roasted dishes. You can primarily find these on the streets as several vendors indulge in selling smokey flavoured street snacks. During this time, the city also welcomes festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, which are celebrated with gusto.

Undoubtedly though, winter becomes the best season to visit Ahmedabad as it comes with a plethora of cultural relevance as well as sublime atmosphere. The temperature actually drops down to 5-20 degree Celsius, so do pack thermal wear for your trip. Not to mention how festivals such as Navratri, Diwali also take place during the winter months. This means you can actually indulge in some fun Garba as well as dress up for the occasion. Navratri food is another reason why you would want to take a trip to Ahmedabad during the winters.

Places to see in Ahmedabad

Gandhi Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram, popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram is the place founded by Mahatma Gandhi. What makes this one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad is the rich historical relevance it holds. The premise of the ashram has teachings of Gandhiji etched on the walls. Interestingly, the ashram continues to work with the principles set by the freedom fighter as the premise also contributes to the handicrafts market with their handmade products. In fact, the ashram also has a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory located within the premise.

ISKCON

The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama is prevalent in many parts of the country and even the world. The inspiring stories of the two deities as well as their teachings resonate with many followers. The temple is beautiful and has a festive air which will soothe your soul.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum

Established by Muni Shri Punyavijayi and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the museum is a haven for a bibliograph as it is an abode to priceless book collections, manuscripts and text materials from a long time ago. From Vedic scriptures of Jainism to poetic verses written in ancient India, the manuscripts and published literary work would be of interest to you if you're an avid reader or someone interested in history.

Auto World Vintage Car Museum

At the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, you will find yourself in awe of some of the swanky rides owned by Shri Pranlal Bhogilal, who opted to convert his private collection to public viewing. Not only will you get to see some fancy rides such as Maybach, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chrysler, Lincoln, etc. but will also get to take one for a spin! Of course, you'll have to pay a token to take one of the cars out for a drive.

Bhadra Fort

The Bhadra Fort was once a pristine palace with lush gardens and gorgeous sights. Built back in 1411, the fort vicinity also has a temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. The fort has some historical significance as well as some spiritual relevance. One can take up a stroll around the Bhadra Fort and learn more about the rich backstory.

Calico Museum of Textiles

Ahmedabad or rather Gujarat, in general, is known for their contribution to the textile industry. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the textile industry. Many might assume that credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, which enabled them to opt for handwoven khadi garments and produce the same. However, Ahmedabad's history with textiles dates back to the 1700s! Please take a tour through the Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about their history and more.

Things to do in Ahmedabad

Drive-in theatres are a big hit here. You can probably rent a vehicle and head straight to Drive-In Road in the city but ensure to check the show timings before making a plan to watch a movie. Law Gardens is a bustling capital for the shopaholic in you. As long as you can handle some impeccable haggling, Law Gardens is the best place to shop Gujarati ensembles and clothes representing their culture. From glasswork on the fabric to shimmery outfits, you will have a lot of options to pick from at this shopping street.

A heritage walk is usually conducted in the city where you are taken through a tour of some of the historical streets of the town. The walk is organised by Ahmedabad's municipal corporation and happens daily. The walk starts at Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and stretches up to the Jama Masjid. You can choose a day of leisure by hanging out at the Victoria Garden. It is close to the Bhadra Fort.

Food and Restaurants in Ahmedabad

Gujaratis fondness towards food is no big secret. They love food and are always game to explore the variety. In fact, much recently, a man found fame for selling pineapple and rabdi sandwiches! Speaking of which, if you do wish to check out this melange of flavours then you should head to Manek Sandwich in the city's Manek Chowk. For lip-smacking Gujarati thalis, you should check out Vishala. Tadka Punjabi, Sankalp is also some famous food joints in Ahmedabad with impeccable cuisines. While you're here, you should undoubtedly visit Havmor ice cream parlours and get some of that action.

There is something known as Kathiyawadi Food which is an Ahmedabad speciality. In case you're in the mood for some adventure, this is an excellent way to go about your gastronomical journey. Visit Bardi at CG Road for the same. There are more options available at CG Road such as Choice Snacks, Mirch Masala, to name a few that you can check out.

How to reach Ahmedabad (Transportation)

By Air

Ahmedabad has impeccable flight connectivity as various domestic as well as international airlines have flights in and out of the city. The main airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located approximately 15 km from the city centre. The airport is looking at some significant expansion plans to bring in more space for international airlines. Some of the global flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is with cities such as Kuwait, London, Doha, Singapore and Muscat, to name a few. As for domestic destinations, the flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is brilliant as a majority of the domestic airlines have flights in the city. You can fly to a majority of the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Goa, Kolkata and more.

By Rail

The Ahmedabad Central Railway Station is also well-connected in terms of daily availability of transport. There are dedicated trains from Mumbai heading to Ahmedabad regularly with multiple connections to other major cities such as Rajkot, Pune , Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, etc. Other important junctions include the Sabarmati Junction and Maninagar Railway Station which connect to the central railway station.

By Road

Driving up to Ahmedabad is actually a fun ride as the roads are exciting and the highways are not risky. You can either book a bus ticket for yourself or rent a car or even drive yourself. People travelling from Maharashtra, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh often opt for buses as the best option if railway tickets aren't confirmed. The buses are comfortable too as you have options such as semi seater and sleeper to choose from. You can easily reach Ahmedabad from any corner of the country.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.

  About Mangalore Airport

Mangalore International Airport serves as the second international airport in the state of Karnataka, aside from the Kempegowda International Airport of Bangalore. It is the second busiest airport in the state and serves to the coastal city of Mangalore in Karnataka. The Mangalore International Airport serves to domestic destinations as well as major Middle Eastern cities. The airport opened back in 1951 and was named as Bajpe Aerodrome. The former Prime Minister of Jawaharlal Nehru arrived at the Mangalore International Airport on a Douglas DC-3 aircraft. Located about 13 km away from the city centre of Mangalore, it is perched up a hilltop near Bajpe. The airport one of the three airports in India with a tabletop runway. Besides Mangalore, Calicut International Airport and Lengpui Airport are the only ones who have a tabletop runway. In 2012, the airport received its international stature after successful operations of Air India Express to and from Dubai. The Mangalore International Airport is known to charter flights for the Hajj pilgrims as well. The connectivity has been enhanced with flight services to major Middle Eastern cities, including Jeddah, Riyadh and more.

About Mangalore Airport Terminals

Mangalore International Airport has two runways and a single passenger terminal. However, for flights reserved for Hajj pilgrimage, the old terminal has been reserved. The terminal has recorded to be one of the biggest in the would accommodate about 34 million passengers in a year. The terminal has a ground level for arrivals as well as a first-level dedicated to departures. The terminal has the capacity to operate 26 domestic flights and about 52 international flights every week. An air traffic control tower has also been installed at the Mangalore International Airport. The first runway is made up of concrete. The second one is about 8,038 ft long and has acquired a taxiway that is parallel to the new runway. A route to connect the new terminal from the city has also been brought forth. This actually reduces the distance between the city centre and the airport by close to 8 km. An automated air traffic management system has also been incorporated at the airport that replaces the older inefficient system. The new system helps in providing flight safety, has direction finders and has perfect air-ground-data link alerts. This has been acquired to reduce the possibility of accidents on the runway.

About airport authority

Mangalore International Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India as well as Adani Group. Initially, the airport was owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, much later, the project bid was acknowledged and won by Adani Group. Several projects to increase the passenger volume and construction of new passenger terminal have been in the works. The two parties are also working on the expansion of the Mangalore International Airport to enable safer means of landing and passenger accommodation. The airport does have a bad reputation for being one of the most unsafe airports in the country. This is due to multiple accidents that have happened at the runway. This includes the infamous 2010 accident of Air India Express Flight 812, Boeing 737-800. The flight en route Dubai-Mangalore succumbed to a runway mishap which resulted in the death of about 158 people with only eight survivors. The accident resulted in the delay of expansion plans as newer proposals were asked to be submitted to avoid more possible casualties. From various expansion plans by the two bodies, runway lengthening has also been worked upon.

Facilities at the Mangalore Airport

WiFi: Mangalore airport has good WiFi connectivity. The main idea behind providing the service is to make sure that the people are able to receive good network and continue with their work commitments from the airport. Often many business professionals use the time at the airport after check-in to work on some emails and other work that require connectivity. Hence, the demand for a WiFi has led to the airport ensuring good network. While you can enjoy free WiFi for 30 minutes, you will have to pay for services exceeding the time limit.

ATMs and currency exchange: Mangalore airport sees a lot of tourists and travellers returning from the Middle East. They are basically families and professionals who have been working in the Middle Eastern countries. Due to this, it is necessary to have a foreign exchange counter at the airport. The currency exchange services can be availed at the arrivals and departures. The airport also has ATM kiosks to help people withdraw money so they can travel within the city. You can find the ATM kiosks outside the airport and are majorly operated by Karnataka Bank.

Information desk: Having an information desk is of utmost importance at an airport. The Mangalore airport also has dedicated information desks located at various junctions. The desk caters to all the questions regarding the airport facilities such as flights, schedules, boarding gates and more. You can also learn about the necessary places within the airport, including the medical centre and the smoking zone. A tourist counter is also available at the Mangalore airport. You will find tour guides to help you peruse through your options on what to do in the city.

Restaurants and cafes: There are a handful of restaurants and cafes that are available at the airport. You might not find a lot of prominent joints, but the few famous ones such as McDonald's and Domino's are available at the airport. The airport also has small joints for snacks and coffeehouses.

Child care facilities: The airport has child care facilities too. The room is specifically built to give mothers and infants privacy for feeding and diaper changing. The room is kept clean and sanitized to avoid the child from contracting any bad disease. Not to mention the room is also made to be comfortable for the mother. There are diapers and other baby products also available at the child care room, in case the parent runs out of them.

Prayer rooms: A devoted prayer room is also available at the Mangalore airport. The space is reserved for travellers to engage in religious practices. It is a shared space and does not have specific rooms depending on the faith.

Smoking zone: The airport also has a smoking zone reserved. There are enclosed rooms and lounges where you can smoke. You are not allowed to smoke anywhere else in the airport terminal but the smoking lounges. They are available at all the terminals in the airport.

Luggage: In terms of luggage, quite a few services are available. From lost luggage counters to baggage wrapping counters, these facilities are available at the Mangalore airport. You can ask for a baggage wrap before the check-in. There is a separate counter that you should approach to wrap your luggage with plastic. The main reason why people opt to do this is to ensure that the baggage is safe from mishandling, theft and other concerns. The airport also has trolleys available for you to take your luggage around.

Postal services: There are postal services available at the airport. You can avail the services to post documents and important letters.

Medical services: The airport has medical aid and services also. All airports must have medical services as part of their facilities to deal with medical emergencies.

Top airlines flying from the Mangalore Airport

Mangalore Airport has both domestic and international terminals. However, they do not have the international airlines flying from the city. However, they do have domestic airlines that cater to international destinations. Domestic cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hubli, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi and Coimbatore are connected with the Mangalore Airport. The airport witnesses domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Interestingly, some of the domestic airlines such as Air India Express and SpiceJet, have international cities connected. Mangalore airport does see decent passenger traffic. A majority of their flights are reserved for international trips to cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain. The Middle Eastern countries see a lot of demand from Mangalore as many opt for cities in those countries for professional opportunities.

How to reach Mangalore Airport

Mangalore International Airport is known to be the second busiest airport after Bangalore Airport in Karnataka. The airport is about 13 km from the city centre of Mangalore. The tabletop runway is very popular in the country as it is one of the few to have the specific-styled structure. The best way to reach Mangalore airport is by booking a taxi ride. There are prepaid taxis and fare taxis available near the airport and in the city as well. There are prepaid taxi booths and counters available at both the terminals. You can make your cab bookings at the airport itself. The cabs will directly drop you outside the airport and vice versa. There are bus services also that traverse from the city to the airport. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has regular bus services from the airport and the Central Railway Station, making connectivity extremely convenient. There are no direct railway connectivity or stations close to the station. Hence, after the prepaid taxi, the bus is the second-best option to choose to reach Mangalore International Airport.

  About Ahmedabad Airport

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves as an international airport to the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. The airport is about 9 km to the north of central Ahmedabad. The airport has been named after the First Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It falls in the top ten list of busiest airports in India with respect to passenger traffic. In fact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport stands at the seventh spot for being one of the busiest airports in India. According to reports received in 2018-19, the airport recorded a whopping passenger capacity of 11.17 million in a year. Ahmedabad Airport also serves as the focus city for GoAir airline.

The airport was originally set up in 1937 for domestic operations. However, the airport eventually received its international operations stature in 1991. In 2000, Ahmedabad Airport was added in the category of international airports in India. In the same decade, works to create a new terminal also commenced. In 2010, the airport's new terminal 2 came into existence, and it was inaugurated to handle international passengers.

Further, a towering 18 foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also erected at the airport. The airport has been recognised internationally for its world-class facilities and modern amenities. In fact, it also received an award in 2017 for being the 'Most Improved Airport' in Asia-Pacific, by the Airports Council International.

About Ahmedabad Airport terminals

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 caters to domestic operations and comprises of two floors. The design and layout of the terminal are exquisite and is capable of handling 1400 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has also reserved spaces for parking cars which can accommodate 250 at one go. It comes with various facilities, including WiFi services and several food establishments. There are about 32 check-in counters as the terminal is sprawled over 480,000 square feet. Just recently in 2018, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport opened a new Plaza Premium lounge in the domestic terminal 1. The lounge is located right next to Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge has world-class facilities and caters to Priority Pass. You can also use other select bank cards to get access to the lounge. Business-class passengers depending on the airlines that they fly from will also get access to the lounge.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2, also known as T2, was inaugurated in 2010 and commenced operations the same year. Thanks to the exquisite Steel Structure built by the management, the terminal won accolades for the same at the 2009 edition of National Structural Steel Design and Construction Awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport's Terminal 2 accommodates four aerobridges with 32 check-in counters. The terminal's floor area sprawls across 41,000 square meters approximately.

With this, the terminal has the potential to accommodate over 1,600 passengers at all times. Similar to the terminal 1 lounge, terminal 2 also has a new Plaza Premium, which was opened in 2018. The new lounge at the terminal has been reserved for business class and first-class passengers. In fact, passengers who have special Priority Pass and other bank card are also given access to the terminal 2's lounge. Along with great facilities, the terminal also accommodates a 51,975 square metre long apron that enables parking bays for nine A-321 and four ATR-72 types of aircraft.

Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1 and is used for domestic flight activities. The terminal is yet to start functioning, but as of 2019, the airport has managed to lay the foundation. Construction work has already commenced for the new terminal. The terminal building is set to accommodate a parking facility of 200 cars and will predominantly be used for Hajj season.

Terminal 4 - Terminal 4 is reserved for cargo activities. The airport has the capacity to accommodate about 51,637 tonnes of cargo, this includes gold and silver. Sixty per cent of the cargo is derived from various domestic sources. Presently, cargo airlines such as Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo operate from Terminal 4 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

About Airport Authority

Airports Authority of India is the owner and played as the operator of the Ahmedabad Airport. However, in 2015, they announced to privatise the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Until 2015, much of the airport's management and operations were handled by the Airports Authority of India. Following a bid to transfer the ownership or rather operations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Adani Group has become the management now. Plans of expansion and upgradation under the operations of Adani Group have not been revealed yet.

Facilities at the Ahmedabad Airport

Lounge – The international and domestic terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have dedicated lounge services. Called the Plaza premium lounge, the two lounges have great hospitality and comfortable facilities.

Medical services – With a view to handle medical emergency cases, the airport has installed medical services and first aid rooms too. These are present in the domestic as well as international terminals.

WiFi – The airport offers free WiFi facilities for passengers. One can avail the free internet services without having to pay an extra tariff of any sort. Also, the internet connection is strong and can be utilised from various spots in the airport premise.

Currency exchange - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport and hence has a foreign exchange counter available in the terminal. You can get your currencies exchanged for a decent rate and also get money transfers done.

Child care rooms – There are provisions for parents travelling with kids to relax at the child care room. These rooms have been installed specifically to help parents calm their kids and to cater to their needs. The rooms are private in nature and have facilities such as changing tables, comfortable chairs and more. They also have baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent runs out of these essentials.

Spa – Ever since the airport has undergone upgradation, they have installed some interesting new features. One of them is a spa service. You can avail the spa services at the airport's terminals and relax ahead of the flight. They are mostly present in the international terminal.

Restaurants – There are dedicated food courts available at both the terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can find famous restaurants and food joints from around the world at the airport. Famous establishments such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, to name a few, are also part of the airport terminals. Affordable food joints and beverage points are present at the airport as well. You can pick from the most upscale establishments to the cheap and affordable ones at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

ATMs – The airport facilitates various ATM kiosks of local banks at selected spots in the international and domestic terminals.

Top airlines flying from Ahmedabad Airport

As one of the most important airports in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport accommodates several domestic and international airlines. The domestic airlines that operate from Ahmedabad Airport include Air India, AirAsia India, Air Deccan, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines connect to major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Kozhikode, Kochi, Bagdogra, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Dehradun, to name a few. Meanwhile, the international airlines that operate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Druk Air, Emirates, flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. These airlines connect to international destinations such as Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Paro, London, Baghdad, Kuwait, Doha Singapore, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, to name a few.

How to reach Ahmedabad Airport

By Bus

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 8n km away from the bus stand. From the bus stand, you can easily find taxis and private buses that will directly reach you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. There are several prepaid taxi booths also available near the bus stand for you to reach Ahmedabad Airport. Reaching Ahmedabad Airport from the bus stand is quite convenient and comfortable. You can also find transportation facilities on Ola and Uber to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It would take approximately 20 minutes to reach Ahmedabad Airport. However, depending on the city traffic, the duration can vary.

By Rail

The railway station is also located about 8 km from the airport. If you have a flight to catch from Ahmedabad Airport and if you are travelling to Ahmedabad from other parts of Gujarat, it would be a comfortable journey. You can get various taxi cabs and other such vehicle services at the railway station to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Private cabs are available at the station and would take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.