GURUGRAM- On Wednesday (April 3, 2024), Air India Express (IX) initiated direct flights between Mangaluru and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jeddah marks the eighth international destination Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) serves.
The inaugural leg of the weekly flight IX 797 from Mangaluru to Jeddah (JED) arrived from Tiruchirappalli as IX 1499, introducing a new domestic connection for Mangaluru.
Air India Express Jeddah Flight
Most passengers on the inaugural flight to Jeddah were individuals embarking for Umrah. Among the first passengers to purchase tickets was Shabih Ahmed Kazi, a businessman, who expressed gratitude to both the airport and the airline, expressing hope for increased frequency between the two destinations.
Another passenger, Nirmala Cardoza, mentioned that the direct flight to Jeddah fulfills a 29-year-long wait, as per a release from MIA.
The airport’s departure hall was adorned with a festive atmosphere for the inaugural flight.
Mukesh Nankani, Chief Airport Officer, and heads of major stakeholder departments such as Customs, Immigration, Airport Security Group of CISF, and HoDs of the airport lit the traditional lamp. Mr. Nankani later joined young travelers and Mr. Kazi in cutting a celebratory cake and handed the boarding pass to the first passenger.
Insights into Inaugural Flight Services and Routes
The airport presented passengers boarding the inaugural flight with a rose, a certificate, and a pouch of assorted dry fruits. A traditional welcome was extended to flight IX 1499, piloted by Captain Anmol Deep Sin Padda, upon its arrival from Tiruchirappalli. Captain Padda then led the inaugural flight to Jeddah with a new crew. This flight from Tiruchirappalli to Jeddah via Mangaluru operates every Wednesday, with the return flight on Thursday.
According to a release from Air India Express, as the second-largest international operator from Mangaluru with 47 weekly departures, it connects to various domestic and international destinations, including Bengaluru, Jeddah, Tiruchirappalli, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, and Muscat.
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