Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061202781500.htm

Business

Mumbai-LA flight flagged off

MUMBAI, JUNE 11. The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, today flagged off the inaugural Air-India Boeing 747-400 Mumbai-Los Angeles flight, carrying 170 passengers.

"Let the Maharaja rule the skies once again to restore the past glory,'' Mr. Patel said while flagging off the flight. The airline had sunk in the past, now it was time to grow and regain its market share and past pride, he added.

The flight will operate on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday.

The passengers included the Union Minister for Water Resources, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, and Bollywood actress Mandira Bedi. A special first day cover was also released on the occasion. ``Hollywood to Bollywood'' was the theme at the Sahar terminal with look alike of Michael Jackson, Elvis Prisley, Charlie Chaplin entertaining the guests. The Chairman and Managing Director, V. Thulasidas, and his senior management team were also present on the occasion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

PTI