[Gulf Goans] A-I to operate third Mumbai service soon

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A-I to operate third Mumbai service soon 






Staff Reporter
 
AIR-INDIA is to introduce a Tuesday flight to Mumbai from May 31 in addition to the existing services on Sundays and Thursdays.
Airline manager Debashis Golder said yesterday that the number of flights to Kochi would be reduced from the existing three to two while that to Kozhikode would remain at two and services to Thiruvananthapuram will double to four.
Meanwhile, the launch of Doha service by Air-India�s budget carrier, Air-India Express, is likely to be delayed �at least until early next 2006�, the manager revealed.
The airline has acquired only three aircraft, as against the original plan of leasing six, for its scheduled launch of service next month between airports in the UAE and Oman and Kerala. 
However, this plan also could be upset because the civil aviation authorities in these countries are yet to permit the carrier to commence operations.
According to the original plan, the no-frills carrier was to expand its operations to Doha by October this year with six weekly flights to Kochi/Kozhikode.
The budget carrier is being introduced to meet a long-standing demand of Keralites who had been waging an unsuccessful battle to have the airfares cut. 
According to community leaders and industry watchers, all airlines are fleecing passengers to India.
Fares in Air-India Express are expected to be 25% lower than the prevailing tariff of full-service carriers.
It remains to be seen whether passengers will accept the budget carrier since the service will come with a few strings attached. 
For one, the baggage allowance will be limited to 30kg but this may be increased to 35kg checked in and 10kg cabin baggage, depending on �market conditions�. 
Usually, low-paid workers, going home after two or more years, tend to carry heavy baggage. And if they have to pay for every extra kilo, the advantage of lower fares would be negated.
With the introduction of the budget carrier, Air-India will withdraw its regular services to Kochi and Kozhikode. 
Golder said Air-India could upgrade its aircraft in the summer to Boeing 777 to carry more passengers in the peak season. 
 
(Gulf Times)


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