AI gifts five new flights to Cochin airport
Published March 31, 2008 | 
Kochi, March 31
Air India strengthens its flight operation from Cochin International Airport by gifting five new flights to the Cochin airport. Out of these five new introductions, two daily flights will fly to Mumbai and Delhi, while the other three flights will fly to international destinations. These new flights were introduced under the Air India’s six month summer schedule from Cochin airport. This addition in Air India flights will bring in some relief to the passengers who are looking forward to fly to these destinations.
It is evident that Cochin airport has soon become one of the busiest airports in Kerala and several passengers fly daily in and out from the Cochin airport. And these new flights will help travellers to some extent reducing their hassles. It is also planned to de-link Cochin airport from the Calicut airport for services to Sharjah by introducing new flights by both Cochin and Calicut to Sharjah.
The aircraft to Delhi (IC 446) is said to have a capacity of 145 seats and will depart from Cochin at 7:30am and will reach Delhi at 10:30am. Meanwhile the daily direct flight to Mumbai (IC 162) also boasts a seating capacity of 145 and will help passengers to catch the Mumbai-New York non-stop flights. These flights will benefit passengers a lot by offering an easy access to Delhi and Mumbai daily. The three new flights introduced for international operations are, one to Dubai and rest two to Doha. All these Air India flights are introduced to make sure passengers don’t face any hassles while traveling.
Boeing’s maintenance base coming up at the State capital
Published February 1, 2008 | 
Thiruvananthapuram: The national carrier, Air India is setting up Rs. 70-crore aircraft maintenance base, at Chakka near the new international terminal here. It will be a joint venture with Boeing, an aircraft manufacturer based at the US according to the Chairman and Managing Director, AI, Vasudevan Thulasidas.
The airline operates in 146 international and domestic destinations around the world. It connects the 12 gateways of India through Air India Express, its fully owned subsidiary and the remaining through code share arrangement.
The base will cater to the daily upkeep of Boeing 737-800 aircraft used by Air-India Express, the no frill airline of AI. Once the base is set up more airlines from India and abroad would touch down at the Kerala State capital, bringing in a definite surge in the revenue.
The base will be set up in 6.07 hectares of land offered free by the Kerala Government and the construction work would begin on February 25.
Air India has delegated Mukesh Associates based at Mumbai as the project management consultants and all other formalities including soil testing and tender finalization is completed. The work is expected to be completed in over 12 months. Air India is also planning to make Thiruvananthapuram as a base where some of its flights would be stationed in the international airport.