Direct flight between Delhi and Mangalore

Earlier they had to fly to Delhi either via Bangalore or Mumbai. Addressing a press conference Air India Area Marketing Manager Nagesh Shetty said a total of 31 passengers arrived at Mangalore in the inaugural flight from Delhi while 13 travelled from Delhi to Kozhikode. Three persons boarded the flight in Mangalore to Kozhikode while 17 flew to Delhi from Mangalore in the inaugural flight.

Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Srinivas Kamath, one of the passengers to arrive in the maiden flight from Delhi, said the direct flight will save time and money. “It used to take about 5 to 8 hours to reach Delhi via Bangalore or Mumbai,” he said.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA K Abhayachandra Jain flagged off the flight to Kozhikode. Prior to the departure, a priest performed pooja to the flight.

6 days a week

The direct flight to Delhi will operate on six days a week except Saturdays on alternate routes. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Air India Regional IC-7613 flight will leave Delhi at 5.50 am, arrive at Mangalore at 8.30 am, depart for Kozhikode (Calicut) at 9.05 am, arrive at Kozhikode at 9.45 am, leave Kozhikode at 10.20 am to reach Delhi at 1.15 pm.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Air India Regional IC-7611 will leave Delhi at 6.45 am, arrive at Kozhikode at 9.45 am, leave for Mangalore at 10.15 am, arrive at Mangalore at 10.55 am, depart from Mangalore at 11.25 am to reach Delhi at 2.10 pm.
The Mangalore-Delhi tickets have been priced anywhere between Rs 4,730 and Rs 23,330 while the Mangalore-Kozhikode tickets have been priced at Rs 1,220.

Shetty claimed the 74-seater Canadian Registered Jet (CRJ-700 series) is fastest among the commercial jets flying in India and one of the silent aircraft which can fly at 0.8 mach speed.

New terminal

Airport Director Peter K Abraham said the new terminal building is ready and the aerobridges too have been fitted. Works on about 400 metres of link road will be over within two to three weeks.

“We are expecting civil aviation ministry’s approval. The flight operations from the new terminal will start within a month,” he said.

The new terminal will reduce the distance to Mangalore by eight kms from the present 22 kms.