The Hindu Business Line : IA launches twice weekly Abu-Dhabi, Bangalore service

INDIAN Airlines has launched twice weekly code share flights on the sector Abu Dhabi - Bangalore in association with Gulf Air. The services commenced on November 3 and are valid up to March 31, 2005.

Mr Aloke Singh, IA's UAE Manager, said the flights would operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing Abu Dhabi at 0100 hrs, arriving Bangalore at 0600 hrs. In the return direction, the flights will depart Bangalore at 0700 hrs reaching Abu Dhabi at 0925 hrs.

The flights will be operated with A-320 aircraft on which Indian Airlines will have a block of 27 seats in the economy class. The services will enhance connectivity between the UAE and India, particularly ex-Abu Dhabi as the flights will offer on-ward connections to a large number of destinations operated by Indian Airlines from Bangalore, which include Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, Puttaparthi, etc.

The services will go a long way in meeting the needs of the Indian expatriate community, particularly for those residing in Abu Dhabi.