With the new integrated terminal building of Mangalore Airport (NITB) becoming operational from Aug 2, 2010 the long awaited dream of Mangaloreans has finally been fulfilled after much delay. Though the NITB was inaugurated on May 15, 2010 the terminal was not open for operations until 2nd August.

With the shifting of the services completely to the new terminal the distance to the airport has been reduced by nearly 6 kms, which has come as a big relief to travelers from the coastal districts of Karnataka and the border districts of neighboring Kerala.

Apart from reducing the distance to the airport the NITB has become more of a necessity after the airport opened its door to international flights to operate from here four years back. Several airlines began to operate international flights from Mangalore airport to the Middle-East facilitating easy transit for a large number of people working in the Gulf countries. Therefore raising the airport to international standards was the need of the hour and the opening of the new terminal building is certainly a dream come true for the people of the coastal districts. Air India Express IX 820 from Bahrain/Kuwait was the first flight to land at the new terminal at 7.10 am. The same Air India Express IX 820 was the first flight to depart to Dubai from the new terminal.