Air India Express, a subsidiary of India’s national carrier Air India, has commenced direct flights between Mangaluru International Airport and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, catering primarily to Umrah pilgrims. This expansion marks the eighth international route for Mangaluru International Airport (MIA).
The maiden flight, IX 797, took off on Wednesday, April 3, with a significant number of passengers embarking on their journey to Jeddah for Umrah pilgrimage.
Mr. Shabih Ahmed Kazi, a businessman and one of the initial passengers on the inaugural flight, expressed his appreciation to the airline and the airport authorities. He expressed hope for an increase in the frequency of flights between the two destinations.
Another passenger, Ms. Nirmala Cardoza, described the direct flight to Jeddah as the culmination of a 29-year journey.
MIA adorned its departure hall in celebration of the inaugural flight. Chief Airport Officer Mukesh Nankani, along with heads of various departments including Immigration, Customs, and CISF Airport Security Group, participated in the customary lamp lighting ceremony. Nankani also joined the passengers and Mr. Kazi in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event and presented the boarding pass to the first passenger.
Passengers boarding the inaugural flight received certificates, roses, and bags of mixed dry fruits as tokens of appreciation from the airport.
Following its arrival from Tiruchirappalli, the flight was greeted with traditional customs, and subsequently, with a new crew, Captain Anmol Deep Sin Padda piloted the first flight to Jeddah.
The flight operates every Wednesday, departing from Tiruchirappalli via Mangaluru, and returns to Jeddah on Thursday. Air India Express, the second-largest international airline operating out of Mangaluru, currently offers 47 weekly flights to various domestic and international destinations.
As reported by the Economic Times, this summer has witnessed a notable expansion in the airline network compared to the previous year, with over 25% more domestic flights and over 20% more international flights, totaling 259 domestic and 109 international destinations.
