Book your Ticket Online : Air India Express Opens Doha-Bah-M'lore Bookings

Daijiworld Media Network

Doha, Mar 18: As firmly announced on daijiworld.com yesterday, with a view to linking another two destinations in the Gulf with Mangalore direct, Air India Express has now announced online booking for Doha-Bahrain-Mangalore flights.

In an official release to daijiworld.com, it said that now passengers can book their tickets through www.airindiaexpress.in by paying through credit card.

Due to some technical problems outbound online booking  is still not open. It will be available on Monday. However, booking from Mangalore to Bahrain and Doha can be booked online.

After UAE and Oman, Doha and Bahrain will be the third and fourth direct destinations connected  to Mangalore.

Upon authentic information from Air India, Reena Castelino, official correspondent of daijiworld.com in Doha, contacted some prominent community leaders and long-time residents of Doha, originally hailing from Mangalore.

Their response was proof to the fact that everyone has been eagerly waiting for this opportunity to travel to Mangalore direct.

Here are excerpts from their opinions:

CGS Taccode
Doha,Qatar

"A dream has come true.Mangaloreans residing in Qatar are thrilled to travel by Air India Express. Hats off to Vasudeva Rao, Rajesh Sequeira, Walter Nandalike of daijiworld.com and many others who made it possible. Mangaloreans can easily get some delicacies directly from Mangalore,such as Kalliz-Ankiti,Sorpatel,Indad,Bafad,Potrade,Patolleo,
Kube-Mutlim,Apam,Sannam etc!
Jai Mangala,Jai Air India Express!!

I also thank the Civil Aviation Authorities of both the counties,concerned officers and the expatraite associations who were responsible to make this dream come true.

Divakar Poojary, President , Tulu Koota Qatar

We were waiting for this day since several years. Our efforts have gained the results. Thanks to all those personalities of Qatar who had put all their efforts from several years to the concerned authorities to upgrade Mangalore Airport to the International Standard.

I am proud to see my city on the world aviation map. Let’s hope that traffic from Doha to Mangalore will constantly increase day by day. On behalf of Tulu Koota Qatar I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Debashis Golder, Area Manager, all media personnel’s, Concerned Govt Authorities, Local and Political leaders who have extended all their support in this issue. 

M. Iqbal Manna, Founder Member Tulu Koota Qatar
Founder Member  Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association

It is of great pleasure for coastal Karnataka Expatriate Community members at Qatar to fly all the way to their home town within couple of days. Thanks to all the hard work done by Tulu organizations at Qatar/prominent members in Gulf and concerned Civil Aviation Authorities in India and especially for all the media personnel’s.

Our efforts do not end here; we have to continue our hard work to mobilize the services of our National Carrier “Air India Express” which has taken all the initiatives to fly Mangalore weekly two flights.

At this juncture, I appeal all the organizations hailing from Karnataka, to join hands and communicate our fellow members to encourage them to fly in our National Carrier Air Indian Express.

To conclude with, I should never forget to thank and appreciate the support we have always received from Qatar Area Manager of Air India Express Mr. Debashi Golder for his efforts and interest towards Mangalorean community. Kudos to Air Indian Express.
‘Jai Hind’.

Mohd Shameem – Doha
President – South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association

I am really proud to know that Air India Express maiden flight will be landing in Mangalore on 25th March 2007 from Doha.  I am also delighted to say that the long awaited dream of Mangaloreans has now come true.  Now it is the time for all Mangaloreans to rejoice.

Operating Direct flights to Mangalore from Doha will bring sighs of relief from a large number of Mangaloreans and their families working in Doha. Several Associations in GCC countries have contributed their efforts in this struggle. My sincere thanks to all the people for their efforts behind this success.

Felix. F. Lobo
Community leader and NRI Entrepenuer

After a long and hard struggle, we finally have good news! The Mangalore International Airport is ready

Flights have started to land and takeoff. Thanks to Civil Aviation Authorities and honorable Minister H.E. Praful Patel.

My sincere thanks to all the people who have put in their efforts and made this wish of ours a grand success. This International Airport is a dream come true for every Mangalorean as well as Keralites who come from the coastal areas of Kerala for whom Mangalore Airport is closer.

At this moment we cannot expect wonders and every convenience. It will come in due course of time. I feel that the tentative schedule provided looks O.K. Even though two to three flights in a week would be better.

Rocky Fernandes
Vice President - ICC

I am delighted at the fact that, after ten years of untiring efforts from various corners, the Doha-Mangalore flight will begin this Tuesday. It is a dream come true. Mangalore is my first home, and I am delighted that this flight gives me easier and quicker access to it. It is indeed a Godsend. All Managalores out here owe a debt of gratitude to all those who made it possible.

I was overwhelmed with joy and tears rolled from my eyes when I read the news in Daijiworld.com about the direct flight from Doha to Mangalore.  It’s been 10 years I am living in Qatar and I have been through the entire ordeal which we used to encounter while waiting for the connecting flights. I do really appreciate and admire the impressive growth and the developments of Bajpe Airport and the steps taken by Air India to provide us with wide range of services. We Mangaloreans are now really looking forward to go on our vacations.

Hats off to daijiworld.com for updating us every detail about the progress of Bajpe Airport and also to those who involved in accomplishing this task by maintaining the struggle against overwhelming odds. May God bless each one of you! Your efforts were worthwhile.  At last my dream of flying directly to my birth place Mangalore is come true and this thought makes me very emotional.

Norbert Corda
President of Mangalore Cricket Club

Finally the dream of mangaloreans in Qatar come true.The hessels of transisting through Mumbai Airport has  come to an end.the suffering of an family while travelling to our motherland via Mumbai is over. my suggetions and request to Air India Express is to double up the frequency to four days a week instead of two days a week. i am sure they will get the required numbers of passengers.

Mable Fernandes

If there are direct flights from Doha-Mangalore-Doha, then our longstanding dream will come true. It would be very convenient to all Doha-M'lore residents and specially for children who are travelling during their holidays without parents. We could save a lot of time and reach our sweet home early. Hoping to hear the good news very soon.

This is indeed a moment of pride for every person from Dakshina Kannada, whether living there or abroad.  The new service has shortened the distance to our home town, the time which we can now use to spend with our families instead of waiting in Mumbai airport.  I wish to thank all people involved in making this dream a reality.  May there be more flights  from other carriers and from other countries to this great city of Mangalore.  Thank you once again to all those who made this possible, especially Mr Rajesh Sequeira, Co-Ordinator - Karnataka NRI Forum

The number of people who have moved from Mangalore to Qatar has been comparatively increased than that of past.  It has been found very difficult to travel from Doha-Mumbai-Mangalore or any other route which the individual may prefer,  involves more of time and money.

Hence taking into account the people from Mangalore in Qatar and the people to come in future, I suggest that the frequency of  the flights can be increased, the flights operated in this sector will be on the air with full capacity both in and off season.

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