Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 28: Fulfilling a long-standing demand of passengers and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and neighbouring Kerala, direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat are set to resume from March 1.

Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta announced that Air India Express will operate these flights. Following persistent requests from the coastal community, many of whom travel to Muscat for employment and business, the MP had written to the union ministry of civil aviation urging the reinstatement of the service.

According to the current schedule, Air India Express will operate flights twice a week, specifically on Sundays and Tuesdays. This direct connectivity is expected to significantly reduce travel time and provide a hassle-free journey for NRIs returning to their hometowns.

The sudden suspension of the Mangaluru-Muscat service previously had caused severe inconvenience to thousands of passengers, forcing them to travel via Delhi, Mumbai, or Kannur.

Expressing his gratitude, Capt Brijesh Chowta thanked the union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu for responding to the consistent efforts and requests to resume the vital air link.