Air India Express stays afloat despite closure of Nedumbassery airport

Kochi: Air India Express, which operates the largest number of services from Kerala, managed to hold its operations unaffected to a large extent despite one of its aircraft getting trapped inside the flood-hit Cochin International Airport (CIAL).
According to Air India Express authorities, a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft used to operate on the Kochi-Madurai-Singapore route got marooned inside CIAL on August 15 when the airport was inundated by floodwater. 
To avoid its aircraft being trapped inside CIAL in the event of a flooding, Air India Express had actually terminated its service at Madurai airport a day earlier when the authorities opened the shutters of the Cheruthoni dam.
However, the crew decided to take the aircraft to CIAL on August 14 after officers assured them the airport operational area was free from floodwater. But things went out of control a few hours after the aircraft landed with floodwater submerging the entire airport. 
When the aircraft got marooned, the crew sealed the engine to prevent floodwater getting into the engine cabin and damaging other vital parts. Company officers said the aircraft, which has now been shifted to the airport hanger, is safe and will be pressed into service after changing its engine oil. 
Of the 92 flights operated by Air India Express from CIAL in a week, only three flights on the Cochin-Madurai-Singapore route were cancelled due to flooding. Air India Express ran the rest of the services after diverted them to Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode airports.
24/08/18 Dhinesh Kallungal/New Indian Express

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AI Express announces free cancellations to and from Kochi till Aug 26

Air India Express has come out with free cancellations in view of the closure of the Kochi airport till
August 26. Those who have booked tickets in Air India Express to and from Kochi airport can
cancel their tickets and full refund will be given.
The company release stated that modification of dates of journey or changing the sector can be
done. This facility can be availed till August 26, said a company post on their Facebook page.
Air India Express has waived all penalties for modification, cancellation. This is applicable to all
flights to and from Kochi airport till August 26.
17/08/18 Mathrubhumi

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Flight schedule - Kuwait NRIs write open letter slamming MP Nalin for empty promise

Mangaluru: Kannadigas living in Kuwait have written an open letter to Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament, Nalin Kumar Kateel, urging him to keep up the promise that he made few years back with regards to change in Mangaluru-Kuwait flight timings.

In a open letter the NRI's stated, "Lacs of employees hailing from many districts of Karnataka and Kerala including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Kasargod, Kannur have been working in Kuwait. These employees have depended upon 'Air India Express' and Mangaluru International Airport for their travel. Most of the employees hail from Mangaluru. Earlier the Air India cancelled its service following monopoly of private flight services. But the service was resumed after immense pressure from us and months of agitation. We had brought the issue to your notice and you visited us in Kuwait following our invite,”
“Few years ago, without any intimidation, the flight timings were changed. The flight used to depart from Mangaluru every day at 8.45 pm and reach Kuwait at 11.15 pm. On its return journey, the flight used to leave Kuwait at 12.30 am and reach the city at 7.30 am. This timing suited the passengers well. However, about four months back, Air India Express suddenly brought about changes in the schedule of this flight. The flight now leaves Mangaluru at 7 am and reaches Kuwait at 11.15 am. The return flight leaves Kuwait at 12.15 pm and reaches Mangaluru at 7.15 pm,” the letter continues.
11/08/18 daijiworld

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