Mangaluru: Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) marked a milestone in its international connectivity on Monday with the launch of Air India Express’ direct service to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. The new route is introduced on the second day of the winter schedule.The inaugural outbound flight IX 871 departed for Ras Al Khaimah with 146 passengers, reflecting encouraging demand for the newly introduced service to the Gulf region. The incoming flight IX 872 to Mangaluru arrived with 36 passengers.Of the 58 international weekly flights scheduled from MIA in the winter schedule, 38 flights operate to Dubai (20), Abu Dhabi (16) and Ras Al Khaimah (2) which form part of the UAE, and rest to other major destinations in the Middle East.Air India Express will operate on this sector every Monday and Saturday with IX 871 scheduled to depart from Mangaluru at 9.30am and IX 872 scheduled to arrive from Ras Al Khaimah at 6.25pm. Proximity to Sharjah and Dubai, approximately an hour’s drive from Ras Al Khaimah makes this service attractive to expatriates traveling to the UAE.Under the winter schedule, Mangaluru now offers connectivity to nine international destinations and six domestic sectors.
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