Bahrain Air launches thrice-weekly Bahrain-Kochi service
26 May 2008
Bahrain Air, a low-cost airline and second flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, will launch its India services today, with an inaugural flight to Kochi, Kerala. The non-stop flight to Cochin International Airport will depart Bahrain at 10.40 am today after a reception at the Bahrain International Airport.
The response to the new service has been overwhelming, according to Bahrain Air managing director, Ibrahim Al Hamer. "We have a full flight on the first day, and the demand is very heavy for other flights," he said. "Starting with three flights weekly, followed by daily flights in October, demonstrates Bahrain Air's commitment to the Indian market."
The service between Kochi and Bahrain marks the beginning of an expansion plan that will eventually link the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East through the airline's hub in Bahrain, according to Al Hamer. "Our service to the south Indian city of Kochi is our first step into the lucrative market of India, particularly the southern region, to serve the increasing demand from travelling public and in particular from the Indian community residing in Bahrain and the other GCC countries,'' he said.
Monday flights will depart Bahrain at 10.40am and arrive at Cochin International Airport at 5.30pm, local time on the same day. "The other two flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Bahrain at 7pm and arriving at Kochi in the early hours of Wednesdays and Saturdays," said Al Hamer.
The Kochi service will operate three times a week for the entire summer season and become a daily service from October.
Currently Bahrain Air operates services to two GCC destinations, Dubai and Doha, apart from Amman, Damascus and Beirut in the Middle East and a service to Mashad in Iran. The airline has already announced the launch of services to Aleppo in Syria and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from June this year.
It will also commence services to Kuwait, Dhaka and Kathmandu in the Indian sub-continent by the end of the year.
Bahrain Air operates two modern Airbus 320 aircraft and will add another in June this year.
