04 Oct 2006
Dubai: Air India Express, the low-cost arm of Air India, is bolstering its route offerings to Kerala as well as serving new markets from Dubai.
Yesterday the no-frills division of Air India flew its inaugural flight to Mangalore in the state of Karnataka from Dubai International Airport, which marks the first international flight to the South Indian city.
Also yesterday, Air India Express launched a three-a-week service from Dubai to Amritsar in northern India.
The move comes as a welcome surprise to the 1.4 million non-resident Indian (NRI) community living in the UAE, most of whom would benefit from a lower price.
Air India Express officials said the price of a one-way ticket to Mangalore from Dubai starts at Dh600, roughly one-third less than the full service fare.
Then in late October or early November, the low-cost carrier will commence a new service to Chennai in Tamil Nadu three times a week, a company spokes-person confirmed.
The new routes are part of a plan to serve new areas outside its traditional stronghold of Kerala, the spokesperson said. It expects to receive the first of 18 Boeing 737-800 aircraft early next year. Air India Express, launched 18 months ago, operates seven leased Boeing 737 aircraft.
At the same time, the carrier has firmed up its service to the strong contingent of Keralese residents working in the UAE, as Mangalore Airport is near the north Kerala border. The route augments the carrier's present routes to Cochin and Trivandrum.
The airline serves India with 21 flights a week from Dubai, and flies another 23 times a week to Kerala from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Muscat and Salalah.
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
