Sun Oct 12 13:25:23 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The article reports on growing demands to reinstate the direct Mangaluru-Muscat flight service, which was suspended by Air India Express (AIE) three months ago. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta have both appealed to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation to reinstate the service, citing significant inconvenience and financial burdens for the large expatriate community from coastal Karnataka working in Oman. The suspension has forced travelers to take longer, more expensive routes through other cities.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka MPs Push for Reinstatement of Mangaluru-Muscat Direct Flights**

**MANGALURU, Oct. 12, 2025** – Mounting pressure is being placed on the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, to reinstate the direct Mangaluru-Muscat flight service, which was abruptly suspended by Air India Express (AIE) in mid-July.

Both Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta have written to the Minister, highlighting the significant hardship the suspension has caused to the large community of Indian expatriates from coastal Karnataka working in Oman.

The now-suspended AIE service operated four weekly flights between Mangaluru and Muscat. The suspension has forced passengers, including senior citizens, students, and working professionals, to take circuitous routes via Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Kannur, leading to increased costs and travel time.

“This route has been a vital link connecting a large section of the Indian community living in Oman to their native,” stated Mr. Poojary in his October 8th letter. He relayed concerns from the Karnataka Janapada Parishath Muscat, Oman Chapter, emphasizing the disruption the suspension has caused.

Capt. Chowta, in his September 18th letter, highlighted that nearly 50,000 expatriates from Coastal Karnataka are employed in Oman. “The Mangaluru-Muscat route has served as a vital and uninterrupted lifeline,” he wrote, urging the Minister to reconsider the suspension. He pointed out that the abrupt cessation of service occurred “without prior consultation or proper explanation,” causing distress to many families.

Both MPs are requesting the Minister’s immediate intervention to direct Air India Express to re-evaluate and revoke the flight suspension, potentially with limited weekly operations initially. The issue underscores the critical need to maintain vital air links for the substantial Indian diaspora in the Gulf region.

Read More