Doha: Will Air India Express Fly Mangalore on the Appointed Day?

Exclusive interview by Reena Castelino - Daijiworld Media Network Doha

Doha, Feb 22: As expatriates hailing from  northern Malabar and currently residing the State of Qatar are preparing to welcome the first-ever direct flight to land in Mangalore via Bahrain, there are many enquiries at daijiworld like "Is the date confirmed?"  People are eagerly looking forward to an official announcement and see availability of the online bookin facility.

Over the last four years, daijiworld has been giving extensive coverage to Mangalore airport and was the very first among the media in the entire country project the issues to the high level. In continuation its efforts, Doha's daijiworld official correspondent Reena Castelino contacted Air India's chief in Doha to get to know the latest status and exact position of Air India Express.

Debashis Golder,  manager of Air India - Doha, spoke exclusively to Daijiworld

Here are the excerpts:

Has the tentative flight schedule, which is published, been finalized?

The Tentative Flight schedule has been sent to the Civil Aviation Authority, Doha and we are awaiting their approval. On account of heavy traffic at the Doha International Airport,  there might be a few changes in timings, but more or less it should be approved.  We are starting with 11 flights a week -  two to Mangalore, four to Mumbai and five to Kerala. Once the schedule is approved it would be published in newspapers, travel agents will be advised and a copy of the same would be sent out to all local organizations in Doha.

If everything is in place, when will the maiden flight take off to Mangalore?

In accordance with the schedule, the maiden flight should take off from Doha on Sunday March 25, 2007.

Can you give some information on the booking procedure?

We have still not opened up the system for selling. However, we expect by second week of March, the booking should open for the flight which would be simultaneously available on the official website of Air India Express www.airindiaexpress.in as well as with the travel agents.

Do you have any information about the fares?

The fares could be a little higher than the fares ex-Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Muscat, say about QR 750 to QAR 800 (one way).

Will the frequency of the flights be increased?

As of now,  the schedule would have two flights per week on Sundays and Tuesdays. I recall receiving a letter in October 2004 from Mr. Rajesh Sequeira the coordinator of the Karnataka NRI Forum routed through the Air India Management in Mumbai requesting for three flights weekly from Doha. Based on the the demand and other relevant factors, the frequency of the flight would be increased in the coming days.

Any special plans in preparation for the maiden flight?  Do you have any information on any dignitaries or VIP's arriving?

So far we have no information about anybody arriving, but we would be contacting the local organizations in Doha for their support and help as required in preparation for the maiden flight.

Can you give us some information about the operations of Air India Express from Doha?

I think it is a happy coincidence that the first flight of Air India Express from Doha to Mangalore is on March 25, 2007. Further, on that particular day in total we have three Air India Express flights which will take off from Doha, the next being Doha-Kozhikode-Kochi and then the return of the Mangalore-Doha flight going back to Mumbai. So it would be a rather historic day for the Indian community in Doha.

Can you give us some information about the luggage restrictions?

The maximum checked luggage allowance per passenger would be restricted 30 kg, and 5 kilos of hand baggage.

Are there any transport facilities available from Bajpe airport for the passengers travelling to the city?

Regarding the transport facilities from Bajpe airport,  I have been informed that the airport is a little away from the city, and since flight operations are  late in the evening. If there is a pressing demand, then we can look into arranging a paid coach service city/airport/city for the passengers travelling to the City.

Any idea about any other Gulf sector being linked with Doha through Air India Express?

It's historical that Bahrain is always linked with the Air India Flights from Doha, but in the future we would also link with Dubai that would provide many more Air India  destinations in India, namely Pune, Amritsar, Trichy etc.

How will the seats be allocated between Doha and Bahrain?

There is no hard and fast rule about it, we try to allocate them by 50% to each and also consider the rule of first-come-first-served basis.

Finally, have you ever been to Mangalore?  Do you have to say anything about Mangalore?

I haven't been to Mangalore so far but I have heard a lot about Mangalore from many of my friends. I recall reading a book a long time back called The Revised Kama Sutra" by Richard Crasta who, I believe, grew up in Mangalore. It was one of the most enjoyable books I have read so far. I hope Mangalore is as charming, delicate and hilarious as projected by him.

Do you have any message for the Mangaloreans in Qatar?

My message to all Mangaloreans in Qatar is that we look forward to their response and support to make this truly international journey between two beautiful coastal cities a great experience.

On behalf of its readers, Daijiworld.com thanks Golder for taking time out to give us this information.     

Several community leaders from Doha have thanked daijiworld for its role in the media to highlight the airport-related issues.

Daijiworld will continue to update its readers on the subject as and when status report is received.

Daijiworld Follow-up:

• AI Express Indicates Tentative Schedule for Doha- Bharain-Mangalore Flight
• Pressure on AI Express to Start Riyadh-Dhahran-M'lore Direct Flight

Watch exclusive video footage: Air India Express Landing at Mangalore - Click Here

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