• By Imran Zafar
  • Sun, 02 Feb 2025 02:00 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI

Mangaluru-Delhi Flight: Air India Express introduced a daily direct flight between Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) and Delhi International Airport on Saturday, improving air connectivity for travellers in Karnataka. Passengers on the inaugural flight were greeted with a water cannon salute by the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit at MIA, marking the launch of the new route.

According to an MIA spokesperson, the first flight, IX 1552, departed Mangaluru at 6:40 AM and landed in Delhi at 9:35 AM on February 1. Simultaneously, IX 2768 took off from Delhi at 6:40 AM and arrived in Mangaluru at 9:35 AM. The maiden flight carried 167 passengers to Delhi, while 144 passengers travelled from Delhi to Mangaluru.

The addition of this service increases the total number of daily direct flights between Mangaluru and Delhi to two, complementing IndiGo's existing evening flight.

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An official from MIA highlighted that the new service will benefit both business and leisure travellers while providing enhanced transit options for domestic and international travel. ''We are committed to strengthening connectivity and supporting the region's growing travel needs, the official said.

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Air India Express has been expanding its network, having introduced two-weekend flights between Mangaluru and Pune in January. With the Delhi route now operational, the airline aims to support regional trade, tourism, education and economic growth.