Daijiworld News Network - Abu Dhabi
With inputs and pictures from Shodhan Prasad - Abu Dhabi
Updates at 4.20pm UAE
Abu Dhabi: Historic Air India Express Flight Rules the Sky
Feb 15: The final moment is at hand. The historic direct flight to Mangalore from Abu Dhabi glided into the sky from Abu Dhabi International Airport with 70 passengers on board.
The flight is expected to land at Muscat International Airport at 4.30pm Oman time.
Updates at 4.00pm UAE time
Abu Dhabi: Direct Flight to take off at 4.40pm UAE Time
Abu Dhabi, Feb 15: The Air India Express flight has arrived at the airport at 3.45 pm UAE time. The flight arrived at the Abu Dhabi International Airport from Mumbai.
Although it will take its maiden flight to Mangalore, there has not been any official ceremony to mark the event. Only the cutting of a ribbon will be done by the Civil Aviation Under Secretary.
India's ambassador to UAE Bhandari is also present at the venue.
Community leader and NRE entrepreneur B R Shetty, Karnakata Sangha and Bunts Association leader Sarvotama Shetty, UAE Exchange General Manager Sudhir Kumar Shetty, KCO Abu Dhabi president Dolphy Vaz , community leader and NRI entreeneur Leo Rodrigues, Karnataka NRI forum leader Rajesh Sequiera and others are present.
The flight is expected to take off at 4.10pm UAE time.
Earlier updates:
Abu Dhabi, Feb 15: The historic Air India Express has begun its final countdown to fly from Abu Dhabi to Mangalore via Muscat. Mangaloreans and North Malabar residents are all set to fly in first ever direct flight from Abu Dhabi.
For Air India Express this is the second gulf destination. As soon as it reaches Muscat it will be the third destination and second gulf nation to fly Mangalore Internationally.
The Air India Express counters are opened at 13.45 hrs IST at Abu Dhabi International airport.
Our correspondent present at the airport said that, sweets have been distributed to the passengers of first flight by UAE's famous Beary Association. Also Food Land Hotel Abu Dhabi is serving lunch packs.
A total of 70 passengers are on board from Abu Dhabi. Little children standing at the check-in counter distributed the sweets to the passengers.
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