Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Kingfisher Airlines to fly to Chennai from March 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kingfisher Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights in the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai sector with effect from March 1.

The daily flights will be operated using new ATR 72-500 aircraft that can accommodate 66 persons, airline sources told The Hindu. The flights are being launched as part of the company’s aim to provide connectivity between metros and mini-metros.

The 2882 flight from Chennai will depart at 5.35 a.m. to reach the Thiruvananthapuram international airport at 7.05 a.m.

In the return direction, the 2883 flight from the Thiruvananthapuram international airport will depart at 7.10 p.m. to reach Chennai at 8.30 p.m.

The one-way fare in the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram sector will start from Rs.2,825, sources said.

ATR 72-500 aircraft are being used by the airline to operate services on the short-haul routes.

Besides improving the connectivity between Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, the airline will offer connectivity to Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore and Goa from March 1.

The airline sources said the same ATR aircraft would be deployed to operate services from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore and Goa.

The aircraft will return from Goa to Thiruvananthapuram via Kochi and Kozhikode in the evening. Later, it will proceed from here to Chennai at 7.10 p.m.

The launch of services from here to Kochi and Kozhikode will be a big relief to passengers as the Air India Express, no-frills airline of Air India, discontinued many services operating through these cities last week to begin direct flights to the Gulf.

Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines touched base in Kerala two years ago with the launch of a direct flight between Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram.

At present, Air Deccan, Paramount, Indian and Jet Airways operate daily flights in the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai sector.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu