Daijiworld  News Network - Dubai
Reporting from Dubai International airport - Terminal 2

Mangalore, Oct 3: It’s a moment of jubilation as the Dubai to Mangalore direct flight – Air-India Express is all set to take off into the skies at Dubai Airport within the next couple of hours.

Crowds have gathered to cheer the 180 passengers on board the Boeing 737-800 Air India Express flight (IX 802) that is expected to land at Mangalore Airport at 6.10 pm IST.

All eyes were on this magnificent metal bird will touched the skies just few minutes from its take off.

There is a festive mood all around. At the check-in counter, gents and ladies dressed in Bunt, Christian and Kodava traditional attires are welcoming the passengers.

A large of TV and media reporters have gathered to cover this memorable occasion. Entrepreneur B R Shetty, Kanara Entrepreneurs Limited functionaries, Sudhir Shetty of the UAE Exchange, Karnataka Sangha president Sarvottam Shetty and other community leaders have gathered here.

A lot of relatives of those flying by the first flight to Mangalore to see them off.

The inaugural flight will take 3 and half hours to reach its destination - the Bajpe Airport - where all arrangements have already been made to accord a grand welcome.

Please visit this page to view the pics. More updates will be posted soon.