Air India Express to launch Chennai-Abu Dhabi flight

Chennai: Air India Express, the budget airline of Air India, on Thursday announced the launch of its new biweekly service on Chennai-Abu Dhabi-Chennai sector from April 30.
Abu Dhabi is the fifth destination being connected to Chennai by the airline, a Air India release here said.
"With the introduction of this new service from Chennai via Tiruchirappalli to Abu Dhabi, Air India Express would increase the present 21 flights per week to 23 with effect from April 30," it said.
Air India Express would operate the new service on Thursdays and Saturdays with a capacity of 185 economy class seats.
The flight would leave Chennai at 12.50 pm and reach Abu Dhabi (via Tiruchirapalli) at 5 pm.In return direction, the flight would leave Abu Dhabi at 6.20 pm and arrive in Chennai (via Tiruchirapalli) at 1.40 am.
23/04/09 PTI/Daily News & Analysis

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Saffron seized from air passenger

Malappuram: The Air Customs Intelligence unit at the Karipur International Airport here today seized seven kg of saffron from a passenger who arrived by an Air India Express flight from Dubai.
The passenger, Abdul Khader Ibraim of Bedira in Kerala's Kasargode district, had been detained for interrogation, Air Customs sources said.
The saffron was found concealed in his baggage in 14 packets of 500 gm each. It was suspected to be of Iranian origin and estimated to fetch Rs 13 lakh in the international market, they said.
13/04/09 Indopia

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Flight service from Tiruchi to Abu Dhabi from April 30

Tiruchi: Low-cost carrier Air India Express will introduce a twice-a-week service on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Abu Dhabi sector from April 30.
Abu Dhabi will be the third foreign destination to be linked from Tiruchi by the airline. The new service would be in addition to AI Express’ flights to Dubai and Singapore from here. The airline recently increased the frequency of its flights on the Chennai-Tiruchi-Dubai sector. It operates 14 flights a week to Singapore and seven flights a week to Dubai.
The Chennai-Tiruchi-Abu Dhabi flights (IX 613/614) would be operated on Thursdays and Saturdays, sources told The Hindu. The flight will depart Chennai at 12.50 p.m., arrive here at 1.40 p.m and leave for Abu Dhabi at 2.30 p.m. In the return direction, it will arrive from Abu Dhabi at 11.55 p.m., depart for Chennai at 12.50 a.m. to reach Chennai at 1.40 a.m.
The introduction of the service comes in the wake of a good demand, airline sources said pointing out that many travellers were taking the Dubai flight and drive down from there to Abu Dhabi. Otherwise, they take a connecting flight from Colombo to Abu Dhabi.
10/04/09 S Ganesan/The Hindu

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West Coast NRI Forum meets Air India Express Team

Jubail:The members of West coast NRI Forum led by their President Mr.Farooque Sabandari, Organizing secretary Mr. Vishwanath Kamath and general secretary Mr. Shabbir Honnala took an opportunity to meet the team of Air India Express who came from India to carry out the survey in connection with the commencement of flight from Dammam-Mangalore-Trivandrum-Mangalore-Dammam. The meeting was held on 26th March 2009 in Air India Office at Al-Khobar.
Mr. Vishwanath Kamath welcomed everyone and Mr. Deepak Anand Manager AIR INDIA K.S.A, briefed about the development and introduced a team of AIR INDIA officials to west coast NRI members. Mr. Vinod Kumar who has recently taken charge as a area manager for eastern province promised to extend his full support to the west coast NRI forum in this regard and Mr.K.Narayana Jt. Secretary gave him a brief picture about the NRI forum and its journey towards achieving the goal.
Forum Members whole heartedly praised Mr. Deepak Anand and his team for their selfless support and guidance throughout this mission which has helped in transforming the dream of direct flight Dammam-Mangalore-Dammam into reality. As a token of appreciation Mr.Farooque Sabandari presented the memento to Mr. Deepak Anand and Shabbir Honnala presented a flower bouquet to Mr. Vinod Kumar.
Mr.Bajpe Zakariah Vice president of west coast NRI forum sent his wishes to Air India team and same was conveyed by the president.
It was indeed a happiest moment for all members associated with west coast NRI Forum to hear from the officials that an excellent progress towards achieving our dream project is taking place and the members felt confident about the commencement of direct flight to Mangalore before 15th of May 2009.
Participants revealed that Mangalore is one of the fast growing and undoubtedly a potential destination for Air India Express.
05/04/09 Bhatkallys.com

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