Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 26: Mangaluru International Airport on Monday marked another milestone in its international connectivity with the commencement of Air India Express' direct service to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, a new international destination from the coastal city.
The airline launched the service on the second day of the Winter Schedule 2026, making Ras Al Khaimah, a thriving industrial port city, the newest sector in Mangaluru's growing international network.
The inaugural outbound flight IX 871 departed for Ras Al Khaimah with 146 passengers, reflecting encouraging demand for the newly introduced service to the Gulf region. The incoming flight IX 872 to Mangaluru arrived with 36 passengers.
Out of the 58 international weekly flights scheduled from Mangaluru airport in the Winter Schedule, 38 flights operate to Dubai (20), Abu Dhabi (16) and Ras Al Khaimah (2) which form part of the UAE, and the rest to other major destinations in the Middle East.
Air India Express will operate on this sector every Monday and Saturday with IX 871 scheduled to depart from Mangaluru at 9.30 am and IX 872 scheduled to arrive from Ras Al Khaimah at 6.25 pm. Proximity to Sharjah and Dubai, approximately an hour’s drive from Ras Al Khaimah, makes this service attractive to expatriates travelling to the UAE.
The addition of Ras Al Khaimah further strengthens Mangaluru International Airport's connectivity to the Gulf region, a key market for travellers from coastal Karnataka and neighbouring districts. Under the Winter Schedule 2026, Mangaluru now offers connectivity to nine international destinations and six domestic sectors, providing passengers with greater travel choices and seamless access to important business, leisure, and visiting friends and relatives’ markets.
The launch of the Ras Al Khaimah service underscores the continued confidence of airline partners in the Mangaluru market and reinforces the airport's role as a vital gateway linking the region with the Middle East. The new route is expected to benefit both migrant communities and leisure travellers while further expanding international travel options from coastal Karnataka.