Air India Express expands with new flights between Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and others; introduces A350-900 to its fleet.

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Mangaluru, India – In a significant move to expand its domestic flight network, Air India Express has announced the introduction of two new flights that will connect Bengaluru and Mangaluru, effective November 15.

As part of the airline’s winter schedule, this development aims to strengthen the connectivity between these two cities and Chennai, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi.

This was confirmed in a recent Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) statement.

Strategic Expansion for Enhanced Connectivity

Officials at MIA anticipate a substantial increase in domestic passenger traffic.

They highlighted that the new flight timings have been strategically designed to prioritize customer convenience, facilitating seamless connections to international flights from these cities.

Key Route: Varanasi-Mangaluru Connection

Among the notable additions to the schedule is the Varanasi-Mangaluru route.

Operational until November 25, Flight IX 782 departs from Varanasi at 8 am and stops over at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at 10.30 am before proceeding to MIA, arriving at 12.10 pm.

Starting November 26, this flight will serve as a connection from Chennai to Mangaluru via Bengaluru.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru: Increased Frequency

Further enhancing the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route, Air India Express has introduced two additional flights, bringing the total weekly flights to seven.

The inaugural flight, IX 782, began operations this Tuesday, followed by the second flight, IX1795, operating on the Kannur-Bengaluru-Mangaluru route.

Air India’s New Chapter with A350-900 Aircraft

In a related development, Air India, the Tata Group-owned carrier, announced the inaugural ferry flight of its A350-900 aircraft on November 17.

The flight from Singapore to Toulouse marks a significant step in integrating this advanced model into the airline’s fleet.

Air India has placed orders for six A350-900 planes, with five expected to be delivered by March 2024.

The First A350-900 Joins the Fleet

The acquisition of the first A350-900 was completed on September 29 through a finance lease transaction with HSBC via GIFT City.

The airline took to social media to celebrate this milestone, showcasing the aircraft’s first ferry flight in new Air India colors.

Future Prospects of the A350 Fleet

Campbell Wilson, CEO and MD of Air India, disclosed that the airline’s third A350 has just received its new livery in Singapore.

The aircraft is now set for final interior and equipment modifications in Toulouse.

This marks a significant stride in Air India’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernize its fleet, promising a new era of growth and connectivity for Indian aviation.