Metal Falcon's dream flight comes true on April 3

Mangalore, Apr 2: Amidst the fears about a reported imminent exodus of thousands of Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia following the Nitaqat implementation, a long pending dream of these hard working people is all set to come true, finally.

Milestone

When the Air India Express' first direct flight from Mangalore to Saudi Arabia takes off on Wednesday, April 3, it will be an important milestone in the growth trajectory of more than six decades old airport, and of Mangalore.

As per schedule, from April 3, Air India Express will operate flights twice a week from Mangalore to Dammam, the capital of Eastern province of Saudi Arabia - on Wednesday and Saturday and the return flight leaving Dammam - on Thursday and Sunday.

Schedule

The flight IX 385 on Wednesdays and Saturdays will arrive at Mangalore International Airport at 4:00 p.m. local time and depart at 5:00 p.m. It will reach at Dammam at 7:10 p.m. local time. The return flight IX 386 will depart from Dammam at 8:30 p.m. local time and arrive at Mangalore at 3:20 a.m. local time on Thursdays and Sundays.

Significance

Establishment of direct aviation link between this portal city and the kingdom has been a long-felt need, frequently expressed by thousands of expatriates from Southwest coast of India scattered across the oil-rich nation. Since its inception, Coastaldigest.com had campaigned for the fulfillment of this long pending dream.

This aviation route not only beneficial for mere Mangaloreans, but also would help over two lakh expatriates from entire Costal Karnataka, North Kerala and a part of Western Ghat region, for whom Mangalore is the nearest Airport to access.

Passenger estimation

A survey conducted by Coastaldigest.com, has found out that around 60% of these expatriates travel once in a year to their home land. About 25% of them (businessmen and executives) are frequent travellers. About 15% of them travel at least once in two years. Besides, hundreds of families from South West Coast of India often visit their relatives in Saudi Arabia. Children of NRI parents students studying in India to visit their parents in Saudi Arabia every year. A large number of students from Saudi Arabia are pursuing their higher education in various prestigious educational institutions in Mangalore, Udupi and other cities of South West Coast of India.

The number of passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia and Southwest Coast of India for the purpose of tourism and health has been increasing with every passing year. Moreover, thousands of Muslims from Southwest Coast of India undertake pilgrimage to Saudi Arabian city of Makkah every year.

All these factors highlight the importance of Mangalore-Saudi air connection.

Revenue

So far the nearest international airport for the people of this region to reach Saudi Arabia was at Kozhikode in the South, Bangalore in the East, and Mumbai or Delhi in the North.

According to experts, the new connection would not only contribute to the air traffic growth at Mangalore International Airport, but also would enhance the airline's revenue.