Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Jun 25: "When will Mangalore Airport become international officially?" Well, that is a million dollar question, but India's fastest growing airline IndiGo could well be the first private airline to fly Dubai - Mangalore directly, pending approval from the Indian government.
This was revealed by Aditya Ghosh, the young and charismatic president of IndiGo Airlines at a press conference held at Grand Hyatt to announce the daily direct flights from Dubai to Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi destinations. Currently, IndiGo has direct flight services to Delhi and Mumbai from Dubai.
Replying to a question from Daijiworld, Aditya Ghosh said that Dubai-Mangalore flight is their priority and that the process is in on. When he was further probed on the time frame for such a move, he said the flight operation would begin early next year, or before that if Mangalore Airport gets international status.
NRI Karnataka Forum co-ordinator Rajesh Sequiera, who has been in touch with various private airlines of India and the Gulf region to get Dubai - Mangalore connected directly, was also present during the press conference.
"It is sad that our own political leaders who hail from the coastal region, despite having enough power are not pressuring the government to announce Mangalore as an international airport. But the recent effort from newly-elected MP J P Hegde was encouraging. I am constantly in touch with him, and hoping for the best. All we need is a political leader to follow it up. J P Hegde has been doing the follow-up with central government," said Rajesh to daijiworld.
M K Lokesh, the Indian Ambassador of UAE and Mohamed Al Rais, deputy managing director of Al Rais Travel were present at the press meet.
The flights from Dubai to Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi are expected to be functional by August 2012. The second Daily and direct flight from Dubai to Delhi also will commence during August. Bookings are already open with effective from June 15 and the early bird return offer is in the introductory low range of AED 734.
India's profitable, economical and efficient IndiGo Airlines launched an Arabic website on the occasion. M K Lokesh, after launching the user-friendly website said, "IndiGo is known for his consistency and professionalism and I am pleased to see Indigo’s commitment to redefine the standards of airline business in the UAE."
Aditya Ghosh said, "The launch of Arabic website reflects Indigo’s commitment to the entire Middle East region and the importance it gives to growing ties between the two cultures. We will continue to work hard to enhance low-fare travel options between Indian and this region.”
About Indigo
IndiGo is India’s largest airline with a market share of 24.9% as of May 2012 as well as country’s largest low fare carrier. The fastest growing low cost carrier of the world has simple philosophy: Low fares, flights on time and a courteous, hassle free travel experience. IndiGo’s on time performance is one of the best in India with the technical dispatch reliability is 99.1% making it the least number of cancellations in India. With its fleet of 57 new Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline offers 351 daily flights connecting 351 destinations. IndiGo has international flights from Delhi to Bangkok, Dubai, Kathmandu and Singapore as well as Mumbai to Bangkok, Dubai, Muscat and Singapore. Established in 1989, IndiGo is led by its president Aditya Ghosh and is promoted by InterGlobe enterprises and Rakesh Agarwal, a veteran in the aviation industry.