Daijiworld News Network - UAE

• 'Flight to Mangalore is Our Top Priority' - Says Official

Dubai, May 10: It was a celebration time for India's first state-owned budget airline 'Air India Express'.

On Tuesday, May 9 India Club premises teemed with Air India officials, travel agents and prominent personalities from Dubai and around who supported Air India Express right from its inception

For Mangaloreans abroad, Air India has become very close to heart, as it was the first airlinet to announce direct flight from Dubai - Mangalore once international
airport formalities were completed.

It was heartning to note that Air India Express is taking special interst to promote this sector.

Sanjev Talwar, reginonal director - Gulf Middle East and Africa, during a chat with daijiworld.com corresponden,t said that Mangalore is on top priority with the airline, which had been waiting for brand new aircarft to arrive. It could be at any moment. "As soon as we get a nod from our head office we will publish the schedule and make tickets available online," said Talwar.

He said, he was delighted to read that the new runway is now ready and the work on the night-landing facilities like light would be commenced in a couple of days.

While speaking about the much-improved service of Air India Express, he said his airline now had the load factor of around 95 per cent and on-time performance of around 85 per cent.

Like other destinations, Dubai-Mangalore air tickets would be available online once the service was confirmed, he said.

While celebrating the first anniverary, Talwar congratulated the staff and agencies on the success of Air India Express.

James Mendonca, noted NRI entrepenuer and president of Mangalore Konkans, and Rajesh Sequeira, NRI Karnataka Forum co-ordinator were present during the anniverary celebrations

Giving a brief idea of the operations, Air India currently had 44 aircraft operations to USA weekly and Toronoto 3 times weekly etc and the new destination this year was Pune.

The number of passengers that travelled Air India in 2004-2005 was 4.4 million compared to the 2003-2004 figure of of 3.7 million, which reflected a 17 per cent growth this year.

In April 2004, 29 Air India Express was born as a low cost airline to cater to the needs of the Indian population. The aircraft, a modern 737-800, was introduced with the full economy seats and operated with 7 times weekly to Cochin and 7 time weekly to Calicut. At present it plies 36 flights and after the introducition of the 6th aircraft on May 13, the flight frequency will go to 61 weekly. The total of 18 aircraft had been booked out of which 5 aircrafts are already in service and every month there will be delivery of aircrafts.

The new distinations will be Mangalore, Amristar and Trichy. Air India Express had now the load factor of around 95 percnt and ontime performance of around 85 percnet .

Later mementoes were given to the top 5 agent in Dubai and north Emirates.
 
1 Deira Travels, Dubai
2 Galadari Travels, Ajman
3 Aian Gulf, Dubai
4 Sand Set Travels, dubai
5 Century Travels, Dubai

and also to 2 representative Agents

Al Maha Travels, Dubai
Kanno Travels, Sharjah

So all Mangaloreans and surronding Keralites can look forward to a green signal to book the tickets.