Bengaluru: Air India Express, the low cost arm of Air India, launched its non-stop service between the Garden city, Bengaluru and the Lion city, Singapore on Monday, October 29, 2018 .With this Bengaluru becomes 18th Indian destination on the Air India Express network.

Mr. Pradeep Singh Kharola, CMD Air India, inaugurated the service at a function held at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. Mr. K.Shyam Sundar, CEO, Air India Express and senior officials of Air India and Air India Express attended the function and the first passenger received the boarding card from the CMD.]

Inaugural flight, IX 486 departed at its scheduled departure time of 12.45 pm, operated by Capt. Prashant Kumar Varma and First Officer Alby Thomas Kunnapally. The Scheduled arrival in Singapore is at 07.55 pm (local time). On Singapore- Bengaluru sector, flight IX 485 will depart Singapore at 09.10 pm and will arrive in Bengaluru at 11.15pm. The Bengaluru- Singapore service of Air India Express will be available four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The country’s first international budget carrier, Air India Express is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India Limited. The budget carrier currently operates around 600 departures per week, connecting 18 Indian cities to 13 destinations in the Middle East and South East Asia. The airline has a fleet of 24 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, seven of which are brand new having joined the fleet recently on dry lease. These new aircraft are equipped to carry more capacity and come with lighter seats and higher performance capabilities. Though the airline follows the market principles of a low cost carrier, Air India Express offers complimentary tea, coffee and meals on board as its USP.

The airline now offers passengers the additional facility to buy a special meal of their choice online on selected sectors. Air India Express also offers passengers the ease of reserving their seat of choice online along with the other online option to buy excess baggage. Responding to market needs, the airline has enhanced its presence on various social media platforms and its Facebook page, facebook.com/AirIndiaExpressOfficial is being used to share information and to respond to customer feedback.

Photo Caption: Mr. Pradeep Singh Kharola, CMD, Air India felicitating the first passenger of Air India Express Bengaluru- Singapore maiden flight at the inaugural function held at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.