Mangalore: Maiden Jet Airways flight to Dubai takes off

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan4,2013 : It was yet another momentous day in the history of the Mangalore International Airport when the flight 9W532 of Jet Airways, the first private airlines to introduce direct flight from the city to Dubai, took off at 8 pm on January 3, Thursday.

 

The flight had Capt Santosh Prabhu, a Mangalorean, as its Chief Pilot. The first boarding pass was given to Rajesh Sequeira, Co-ordinator of Karnataka NRI Forum which took the initiative in prevailing upon the authorities to introduce the service. The flight was full to capacity.

 Speaking as a chief guest at a function held in this connection, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde said   efforts were on to open a Protector of Emigrant Office (PEO) in Karnataka  in order to facilitate the working class leaving overseas on job assignments.

He said  already a proposal in this regard has been made to the Union Finance Ministry. Hegde further said presently PEOs were located only in  Mumbai, Chennai and Tiruvananthapuram. He also stated that an appeal has been made to the Union Aviation Ministry to start direct flights from Mangalore to Saudi Arabia.

Congratulating Jet Airways for launching a direct flight service between Mangalore and Dubai, he said this has fulfilled a longstanding demand.

Ajai Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Corporation Bank, said the Mangalore International Airport will go a long way in the development of the region. GT Radhakrishna, Mangalore Airport Director, MR Vasudeva, former director, Gowrang Shetty, senior Vice President (Commercial)of  Jet Airways, U Harish Shenoy, General Manager and others were present.

Later, addressing a press meet Gowrang Shetty said  there has been a very good response to the Mangalore-Dubai direct flight services. He said the economy class return fare  would be Rs 20,360 onwards as an introductory offer.  Tickets are being sold since December 31 and will continue till March 31, he said adding one-way fare would  be Rs 10,101.

He said Jet Airways will also be offering special   holiday packages from January 3 to February 3 for the Dubai Shopping Festival.

 The new flight 9W 532 from the port city of Mangalore will depart at 2000 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2230 hrs (LT) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
 
On the return leg, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2330 hrs (LT) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and arrive Mangalore at 0430 hrs (LT) next day.
 
On Fridays, flight 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 1900 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2130 hrs (local time). On the return, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2230 hrs (LT) and arrive Mangalore at 0330 hrs (LT) the next day. On Tuesdays, flight 9w 532 will depart Mangalore at 1940 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2210 hrs (LT).