Air India has stand-by aircraft at Bajpe

Mangalore, November 2: Air India Express, the low-cost carrier arm of Air India, has positioned a base aircraft at Mangalore airport from Sunday. This base aircraft will be used in case of any problems arising in the aircraft used in regular flight schedules operated by the carrier, airport director M R Vasudeva said. This aircraft will be useful in meeting unforeseen exigencies caused by technical snags beyond the control of the carrier.

Likewise, the last of the four direct chartered flights carrying Muslim pilgrims to Haj left from Mangalore airport on Sunday. In all, 868 passengers embarked on the four special direct Haj flights to Jeddah during the past three days. The Haj flight operation this year was highly successful, noted Vasudeva. The old terminal building of the airport was used as the Haj camp for pilgrims.

Minister for Wakf Mumtaz Ali Khan flagged off the first flight on Thursday.

by TOI - Tuesday, 02 November 2010