OREANDA-NEWS. January 08, 2013. Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, commenced international flight operations from Mangalore with a state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 flight being flagged off from Bajpe Airport to Dubai. The flag off at the Mangalore International Terminal was marked by the lighting of a ceremonial lamp, in the presence of Hon’ble Members of Parliament from Mangalore and Udupi, Mr. Jayprakash Hedge. Also present at the occasion were senior management from Jet Airways, Mr. Gaurang Shetty – Sr VP (Commercial) and eminent dignitaries from the aviation & travel fraternity, Mr. Radhakrishna –Airport Director, Mangalore; Mr. Vasudeva Rao – Ex Airport Director, Mangalore and Coordinator, Karnataka NRI Forum and Mr. Abdulla Kunhi – Chairman Yenopaya Group. The first flight departed with a full complement of passengers, reported the press-centre of Jet Airways.

The flight 9W 532 operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with economy seating for 170 passengers, departed from Mangalore at 20.00 hrs with a 22.30 hrs (Local Time) arrival into Dubai.

Commemorating the occasion Gaurang Shetty, Senior Vice President - Commercial, Jet Airways, said, “Jet Airways is delighted to provide direct links from the chief port city of Karnataka to Dubai, which is considered to be amongst the best global business and tourism destinations in the world. We are happy to offer seamless connections to several destinations to our guests from Dubai across our global network through our existing Gulf operations. Additionally, this flight will further help strengthen our air connectivity from Tier II Indian destinations into the Gulf, catering to the large number of Indian expatriates settled in the United Arab Emirates, with convenient connections.”

Guests can enjoy an inaugural Economy Class return fare of Rs. 20,360 onwards being offered on the Mangalore – Dubai - Mangalore route, on sale since 15th December, 2012, with travel valid until March 31, 2013. Similarly, the One-way fare ex-India is INR 10,101.

The new flight 9W 532 from the port city of Mangalore will depart at 2000 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2230 hrs (LT) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

On the return leg, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2330 hrs (LT) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and arrive Mangalore at 0430 hrs (LT) next day.

On Fridays, flight 9W 532 will depart Mangalore at 1900 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2130 hrs (local time). On the return, flight 9W 531 will depart Dubai at 2230 hrs (LT) and arrive Mangalore at 0330 hrs (LT) the next day. On Tuesdays, flight 9w 532 will depart Mangalore at 1940 hrs and arrive Dubai at 2210 hrs (LT).

Jet Airways currently operates daily direct flights to Dubai from Delhi, and four services a day from Mumbai.

Exclusive JetEscapes holiday packages:

Jet Airways’ has also introduced exciting JetEscapes holidays for guests travelling to Dubai for the famed Dubai Shopping Festival, for travel effective January 3rd to February 3rd, 2013. Guests to Dubai, a veritable shopper’s paradise and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, may choose between two attractive holiday packages, both spread over three nights and four days.

The all-inclusive ‘Bonanza’ package starts from INR 30,800/-, and the ‘Extravaganza’ holiday package starts from INR 34,850/- respectively.

While both packages include return air travel in Economy (inclusive of all taxes), Airport transfers, 3-Star Hotel accommodation with breakfast, City Tour, Travel Insurance and earns 5 JPMiles for every INR 100 spent on JetEscapes, the ‘Extravaganza’ package also includes, in addition, a Dhow Cruise with dinner and Desert Safari with Barbeque dinner for guests.

The additional services from Mangalore will now complement the airline’s existing Gulf operations to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat and Sharjah, as well as Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam from several cities in India.