By IANS,
Dubai : Bahrain’s low cost carrier Bahrain Air Monday launches its inaugural service to India with a non-stop flight from Bahrain to Kochi in Kerala.
“Our service to the south Indian city of Kochi is our first step into the lucrative market of India, particularly the southern region,” media reports quoted Bahrain Air Managing Director Ibrahim Al Hamer as saying.
“It will serve the increasing demand from the travelling public and, in particular, from the Indian community residing in Bahrain and the other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries,” he said.
A large number of the 275,000-strong expatriate Indian company in Bahrain hails from Kerala.
Stating that the first flight was fully booked, Al Hamer said the Bahrain-Kochi operations, which would be initially thrice a week, would be followed by daily flights from October this year.
On Mondays, the flight will depart Bahrain at 10.40 a.m. local time and arrive in Kochi at 5.30 p.m.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, the flight will leave Bahrain at 7 p.m. and reach Kochi at 2 a.m.
Launched in July last year, Bahrain Air is a premium low priced (PLPC) airline with two service classes, premium and economy.
After Air Arabia and Jazeera Airways, it becomes the third Gulf low cost carrier to fly to India.
Air India Express is the only Indian low cost carrier that flies on the sector.