The Hindu : Front Page : AIE’s non-stop Delhi flights soon

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Sunday, Sep 09, 2007
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AIE’s non-stop Delhi flights soon

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

New flights from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi to capital from October 29

Thiruvananthapuram: Air India Express (AIE), the no-frills carrier of Air-India, will commence non-stop daily flights to New Delhi by linking Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi when the winter schedule for the airlines comes into effect from October 29.

AIE, which was launched on April 29, 2005, by commencing flights to Abu Dhabi from Thiruvananthapuram, is introducing flights from Kerala to the metropolitan cities for the first time. The airline is also offering immediate connectivity to Kolkata as the same aircraft will be used for flight operations from New Delhi.

The decision to commence non-stop flights to link the State capital with Delhi has been taken as the Mumbai-Delhi flight operations being carried out by IC 167/168 flight by Indian will be wound up when the winter schedule comes into effect.

Boeing 737-800

AIE will deploy Boeing 737-800 aircraft that can accommodate 185 passengers for the flight operations. Sources in the airline headquarters said the flight, which will arrive from Kochi, will depart from Thiruvananthapuram at 6 a.m. to reach Delhi at 10.30 a.m. The flight will later depart to Kolkata.

In the return direction, the flight, which will arrive from Kolkata, will depart from Delhi at 7 p.m. to reach Thiruvananthapuram at 10.30 p.m. The flight will later proceed to Kochi.

The airline sources said the non-stop flights will be convenient for those wishing to proceed to Delhi and return the same day. The proposed flight will also be convenient for the officials and tourists as they can save valuable time. Moreover, the air connectivity between New Delhi and Thiruvananthapruam/Kochi will be enhanced. North-East will also be linked for the first time.

The sources said the final schedule is yet to be finalised. The airline authorities are trying to launch the non-stop flights in a grand way. All the seats in the flight will be of economy class and the travellers will be provided snacks as in the international sector.

AIE which maintains base in Kochi and Kozhikode operates four weekly flights to Kochi and 12 to Kozhikode. Airline sources said the ‘different fare basket’ in the international sector will also be available in the domestic sector.

The tickets can be booked through Internet or through approved agents of the airline.

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