A-I Express launches Dubai-Mangalore flight

Air India Express (AIE), the low-cost arm of Air India, launched its flight service from Dubai to Mangalore yesterday.

Jaishree Ramachandran, Air India's marketing manager for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said AIE's low-budget flights best suit the destination.

The 1.4 million non-resident Indian (NRI) community living in the UAE, which includes 2,00,000 Mangaloreans, are expected to benefit from the new service. The price of a one-way ticket to Mangalore from Dubai starts at 600 dirhams, which is roughly one-third of the full service fare.

Ramachandran said the new flight will also benefit people travelling to north Kerala.

The low-cost carrier will also commence a new service to Chennai three times a week later this year.

The airline presently serves India with 21 flights a week from Dubai, and flies 23 times a week to Kerala from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Muscat and Salalah.