Mangaluru: Air India Express has launched a direct flight service connecting Mangaluru and Pune, offering a major boost to air connectivity between the coastal city and the IT hub of Maharashtra. The service commenced on 4 January 2025, with two flights scheduled every Saturday, catering to growing demand for travel between the two cities.

The inaugural flight, IX 2256, departed from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) at 8:00 am and landed at Pune Airport (PNQ) at 9:25 am. The return flight, IX 2257, took off from Pune at 9:55 am and arrived in Mangaluru at 11:45 am. Captain Asatkar Dipak Daulat commanded the inaugural flight from Pune, supported by his co-pilot and a four-member crew, a press release said.

Evening Service to Address Rising Demand

To meet the increasing demand, Air India Express has also introduced an evening service. Flight IX 2236 leaves Mangaluru at 6:30 pm and reaches Pune at 8:00 pm, while the return flight, IX 2237, departs Pune at 8:35 pm and lands in Mangaluru at 10:05 pm.

The new flights mark a significant step in enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling between Mangaluru and Pune. The direct route will not only save travel time but also ensure a hassle-free experience for travellers.

Flight Schedule:

From IXE (Mangaluru)	Departure	Arrival
IX 2256	08:00 hours	09:25 hours
IX 2236	18:30 hours	20:00 hours

 

From PNQ (Pune)	Departure	Arrival
IX 2257	09:55 hours	11:45 hours
IX 2237	20:35 hours	22:05 hours