Air India Express Enhance Daily Connectivity Between Mangaluru and Bengaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 15, 2023: Daily air travel between Mangaluru and the state capital, Bengaluru, received a significant boost as Air India Express initiated its domestic operations on this route on November 15.
The inaugural flight, IX 782, carried 107 passengers, including two infants, marking the maiden journey of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft (VT-BXD) on this route. Notably, this aircraft showcased the new livery unveiled by the low-cost airline on October 18. Mangaluru now enjoys the convenience of seven daily flights to Bengaluru.
The airport welcomed the historic flight with a traditional water cannon salute as Captain Gaurav Vashist taxied into the apron. Accompanied by a follow-me vehicle, the aircraft received an escort from the taxiway to the apron. A warm welcome ceremony awaited the passengers in the domestic arrival hall, complete with a cake-cutting celebration to commemorate the occasion. The return leg, Flight IX 678, departed for Bengaluru at 1.10 pm with 92 passengers, including an infant, and seven crew members, including an observer pilot.
Prior to the flight’s departure, Mangaluru International Airport authorities, along with Air India Express and various stakeholder departments, celebrated the launch with a cake-cutting ceremony in front of the airline counter in the departure hall. The event saw the participation of Virendra Mohan Joshi, Chief Airport Security Officer, heads of various airport departments, representatives from Air India Express, Air India, AISATS, customs, immigration department heads, CISF, and passengers on the inaugural flight.
In a further development, the second Air India Express flight, IX 1795, for the day operated on the Kannur-Bengaluru-Mangaluru sector, enhancing connectivity in the region. This flight departed Kannur at 4.30 pm, reaching Bengaluru at 5.50 pm.
The through flight then departed Bengaluru at 6.25 pm, arriving in Mangaluru at 7.35 pm. On its return leg, the flight continued as IX 792, a through flight to Thiruvananthapuram via Bengaluru. Departing Mangaluru at 8.15 pm, it reached Bengaluru at 9.30 pm, departing once more at 10.20 pm to arrive in the Kerala state capital at 11.25 pm. This expanded schedule further enhances the accessibility and connectivity options for travelers between these key cities.
