File image of an Air India Express flight.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Mangaluru: Mangaluru International Airport has now started offering the people of Mangaluru and adjoining regions direct access to Pune, the IT capital of Maharashtra. On January 4, 2025, Air India Express commenced operations of 2 flights between Mangaluru and Pune, which will run every Saturday.
The inaugural flight, IX 2256, departed from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) at 8 am and arrived at the Pune Airport (PNQ) at 9.25 am on Saturday. The return flight, IX 2257, took off from Pune at 9.55 am and landed in Mangaluru at 11.45 am. Captain Asatkar Dipak Daulat was the Commander of the inaugural flight from Pune, along with his co-pilot and four-member crew.
In addition to the morning service, Air India Express has introduced an evening flight to cater to the growing demand for travel between these two vibrant cities. Flight IX 2236 departs from Mangaluru at 6.30 pm and arrives in Pune at 8 pm, while the return flight, IX 2237, leaves Pune at 8:35 pm and reaches Mangaluru at 10.05 pm.
With the introduction of this route, the IXE Airport enables people of the region to travel directly to Pune. Travellers can now look forward to more options, reduced travel time, and the promise of a hassle-free journey.