Mangalore: Jet Airways became the first private airliner to operate a direct flight to Dubai from Mangalore when flight  9W532 took off from Mangalore International Airport at 8 pm on January 3. Rajesh Sequeira, coordinator of Karnataka NRI Forum (KNRIF), which played an instrumental role in getting the private airline to fly on Mangalore-Dubai route,  was given the first boarding pass of the flight which was full to capacity.

MP Jayaprakash Hegde who was the chief guest, congratulated Jet Airways for launching the flight service to Dubai from Mangalore and also appreciated the role played by the Karnataka NRI Forum. He was also hopeful of the cargo terminal getting clearance from the Government at the earliest.

Airport director Radhakrishnan, former director MR Vasudeva,Gaurang Shetty, senior vice-president (commercial) Jet Airways, Ajay Kumar, Chairman of Corporation Bank, Harish Shenoy, regional general manager of Jet Airways and others were present.

 Speaking to reporters later Gowrang Shetty said the inaugural  Economy Class return fare of Rs 20,360 onwards being offered on the Mangalore – Dubai – Mangalore route, while one-way fare would be Rs 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 also offers holiday package for guests travelling to Dubai for the famed Dubai Shopping Festival, for travel effective January 3rd to February 3rd, 2013.