Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Feb 16: Gulf NRI Forum of Kuwait on Monday February 16 urged improvement in the services of Air India Express flights between Mangaluru and Kuwait.

Addressing a press meet here, Gulf NRI Forum of Kuwait president Pascal Pinto said, "We thank DGCA Kuwait, DGCA India and Air India for restarting the direct flight between Mangaluru-Kuwait. This is very useful for the growth of tourism in the coastal region and for patients who travel to the coastal region for the cheaper medical treatment."

Urging for more convenient flight timings, he said, "We request the authorities to implement old timings. Earlier the departure from Kuwait was at 12 am IST and arrival was 7.15 am IST which was very convenient for all of us and it saved time. But now the departure from Kuwait is at 12 pm IST and arrival at 7.15 pm IST which is causing inconvenience to many, especially if the flight is delayed."

He also urged for more facilitiees in the flight, saying, "The authorities need to provide more facilities to mothers with infants and aged persons. They should provide fresh refreshments and not sandwiches, and also provide some drinks against payment.

"The seating needs to be improved. It is hard for passengers to journey for 4.30 hours. We are facing problem of buying tickets with credit cards and online booking which is not available. When questioned about these issues, they always reply that the credit cards may be 'hacked'," he said.

"Ticket fare and seating facility should be reasonable. The other budget airlines provide newspaper and TV which are missing in Air India Express. We are thankful to Air India but we also wish for better facilities, becuse we pay money and we need good service."

Tejomaya, former chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Lewis Lobo KORWA president, Janardhan, ZP member were present.