Operate flights to Dubai, Bangkok from Coimbatore: A Raja

DMK Lok Sabha member from the Nilgiris A Raja on Friday urged Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to introduce direct flights to Dubai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur from Coimbatore for its "economic growth and to bring foreign direct investment (FDI)". In a letter to Puri, he said as early as 2008 'Fly Dubai' airlines wanted to operate Coimbatore-Dubai flights and it negotiated with the government too, but ultimately it did not materialise.

The former communication minister said the Civil Aviation Ministry conducted a commercial viability study of the Coimbatore airport which had a "positive outcome". Despite that no effort has been made by the ministry so far and the non-availability of flights to such international destinations affected Coimbatore, called "Manchester of South India", in its industrialisation, business and employment, he said.