K'taka seeks private airlines support

The Karnataka government today sought the support and views of private airline operators to realise its plans to expand airlink to commercial and tourist hubs.

The representatives of private airline operators, who witnessed the power point presentation on the initiatives taken by the government to set up airports in smaller cities at a meeting chaired by the chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, wanted tax concession on fuel and waiver of landing charges.

"I am interested in placing Karnataka as an important hub in this sector. Already the traffic from Bangalore Airport has registered 50 per cent growth in the current year," Kumaraswamy said.

The government planned to expand existing airports at Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum, besides operationalising the Mysore and Bellary airports, he told reporters later.

It also has plans to develop greenfield airports at Hassan, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Bijapur and use existing defence airports of Karwar and Bidar for civilian operations, he said.