by Ronald D’Souza and Joe Andrade
for Daijiworld Media Network - Global

Bahrain, Feb 26: The Mangalorean community  in the Middle East can always boast of many firsts to their credit but this one beats it all!   

To travel airborne direct from Bahrain to Mangalore with the state-of-the-art Air India Express service that will reach every passenger’s  travel convenience and most importantly where it will pinch the least, viz., “the purse”,  from either side of the Arabian waters, commencing from March 25, 2007.    

Gone are the days for those of us in Bahrain, when we heard stories how our elders travelled to get to the Middle East and back from Mangalore with so many hurdles! Their arduous and tiresome journeys were unpredictable too. 

In a few days from now, we could be either in Mangalore or in Bahrain just in a matter few hours.  The long story has been turned shorter with Mangalore and Bahrain now brought closer to each other than imagined before – thanks to Air India Express.        

Congratulations to Air India Express on the bold step taken in the interests of  the common traveller and to the very many compatriots for working behind the scenes to bridge every gap to make this dream a reality.     

A long-cherished dream come true for all those travellers based in the coastal belt of Karnataka and parts of Kerala who often transit or begin their journey from Mangalore, now with all its recently developed airport runway and building facilities.     

Daijiworld Media Network team comprising Ronald D F D’Souza and Joe Andrade sought the views of D Debesh, Air India  Manager, Bahrain and Jordan in the matter. He gave a crisp, brisk and pleasant interview at short notice in the presence of Anand Lobo, president of Mangalore Cultural and Social Association.

Exactly a month before the commencement of the much-awaited Bahrain to Mangalore service, the concept, modalities and time schedule of the new service that have been worked out so far were enthusiastically shared.    

Debesh expressed delight that he had been receiving many enquiries from various corners on the modalities of this service and it gave them all the more encouragement to commence the service with a bang. 

Here are the highlights of the AIRINDIA EXPRESS Bahrain/Mangalore service known so far, excerpted from the  interview with D. Debesh:

• Date of commencement of service: March 25, 2007, as already known to the media.
• Inaugural Flight will originate from Mumbai. The routing: Mumbai-Doha-Bahrain-Mangalore–Doha–Bahrain- Mumbai
• Two flight services from Bahrain per week i.e., on Sundays and Tuesdays
• Brand new Boeing 737-800 NG (Next Generation), newly acquired AIRINDIA EXPRESS aircraft with seating capacity of 186 passengers, restricted to intaking 170 passengers because of payload restrictions.
• Airindia will operate only as AIRINDIA EXPRESS from Bahrain w.e.f. March 25, 2007. The existing 7 Airindia frequencies will be increased to 11 (eleven) AIRINDIA EXPRESS frequencies per week from Bahrain commencing March 25, 2007, to various destinations including two frequencies per week to Mangalore. 
• Doha and Bahrain will share seating space equally under Economy Class only.
• Ticket costs indicated to be 25% cheaper on the base rate of Bahraini Dinars 150 (taxes extra).  
  Confirmed travel rates will be advised in due course when the computerized  bookings open “on-line” on the basis “earlier the booking, cheaper the fare”.   

Some special conditions apply in respect of cancellations or changes made from original flight bookings, details of which will be made known and advised to travelers later. 

• Web based e-ticket travel issuance system - on-line booking facility and also through travel agents - whichever is convenient to the passenger.
• Maximum baggage limit 30 kgs per passenger.   Excess luggage fees will be charged as per special fee levy to be advised later. 
• There will be a Summer Schedule of this service from March to October and a Winter Schedule service from October to March, as is customary, the current schedule to be confirmed shortly as soon as all operational modalities are in place both ends.
• With the commencement of Winter Schedule in October 2007, the frequencies are expected to increase to 14 from Bahrain per week to include Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. Furthermore, the game-plan on frequency schedules for AIRINDIA EXPRESS is expected to touch 20 frequencies per week after due study and assessment of the existing frequencies and continued traffic to various destinations.
• Airindia is still awaiting permission from the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authorities on the landing rights, exact time slots, etc. for the two BAHRAIN-MANGALORE services and this is expected to be confirmed by end of February 2007.    The Bahrain Civil Aviation authorities have expressed shown keen interest in the AIRINDIA EXPRESS service and have assured Airindia all co-operation for the service. 
• All arrangements are in place at Mangalore airport where AIRINDIA EXPRESS is doing its best to cater to the needs and facilities of passengers who would be arriving or departing from Mangalore.   No efforts will be spared to make the journey as economical and comfortable as possible.
• There will be an inaugural ceremony on the commencement of service, both in Mangalore and Bahrain.
• In Bahrain, with all permissions subsequently being granted, the inaugural flight will be welcomed with vibrant cultural funfare in co-ordination with the, Kingdom of Bahrain’s civil aviation authorities, Indian Embassy, the Indian Ambassador and to add to it perhaps a short dazzling colorful Indian cultural show from the Karnataka community members hailing from and typical to the West Coast India belt. 
• On the Inaugural flight, both ways, VIPs could be expected to travel to get a taste of the service, first hand.  And for all first flight passengers, AIRINDIA EXPRESS assures to give them an unforgettable and eventful first experience with a difference!   

Once again our congratulations to AIRINDIA EXPRESS and all those people from the Karnataka community who have worked for this Mangalorean dream come true. 

Also read:

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• Bajpe Airport: Kasargod-bound Passenger Caught and Deported to Dubai
• Direct Flights to Mangalore - the Real People Behind it

Daijiworld Follow-up:

• Doha: Will Air India Express Fly Mangalore on the Appointed Day?
• AI Express Indicates Tentative Schedule for Doha- Bharain-Mangalore Flight
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