Finally, tricity connected to Dubai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 26 

With the taking off of the IndiGo Airlines 180-seater Airbus A-320 at its scheduled departure time, 4.05 pm from the international airport here, direct air connection with Dubai was established today. 

The airbus, carrying 127 passengers on board, departed from here amidst much fanfare following a brief ceremony. The ceremony witnessed the lighting of a traditional lamp and cutting of cake by the IndiGo associate vice-president Vijay Matta and Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Some of the passengers were also offered rose buds by the IndiGo staff 

The direct and non-stop flight took 3.30 hours to reach its destination at 7.35 pm (IST). Earlier, the same flight, which departed from Dubai this morning with 90 passengers on board, reached here at 11.10 am today. Then it left for New Delhi at 12 pm from here and returned at 2.45 pm. 

“We have got a good response, as there will be 60 to 70 per cent occupancy rate in the coming days, which is encouraging. We are hopeful of getting tremendous business from here,” said Matta. 

Sources said most passengers on the flight were from the tricity. The daily flight is available at an all inclusive return fare of Rs 9,999.