THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- Air India Express (IX), the Gurugram-based low-cost carrier has inaugurated the flights between Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), Kerala, and Riyadh (RUH), Saudi Arabia on Monday (Sep 9, 2024).
This route will further strengthen the long-standing partnership between Gulf nations and Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
Air India Express Riyadh Flights
The inaugural flight took off on September 9, coinciding with the Onam festival celebrations, a significant cultural event for Keralites. Further airport said that the new route serves as an Onam gift to expatriates from Kerala working in the Gulf region.
This new addition marks Air India Express’s eighth international route from TRV, expanding its network to 12 routes overall.
The inaugural flight was operated by Boeing 737-800, registered as VT-TGH. The aircraft taken on lease first flew for Jet Airways and was transferred to Vistara (UK) after Jet Airways shut down.
Vistara then transferred the aircraft to AI Express following its process to shuffle its narrowbody fleet ahead of its merger with Air India (AI).
Here’s the Air India Express TRV-RUH Flight Schedule:
- Flight IX 521 will operate weekly, departing from Thiruvananthapuram every Monday at 7:55 PM local time. The flight is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh at 10:40 PM local time, providing a direct link between the two cities.
- The return leg, Flight IX 522, will depart from Riyadh on the same day at 11:20 PM local time. Passengers will reach Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday at 7:30 AM local time, offering a convenient overnight travel option.
TIAL emphasized that this new service will primarily benefit expatriates from Kerala and neighboring Tamil Nadu who are employed in Saudi Arabia.
The airport authority highlighted that this route complements the existing direct service from Thiruvananthapuram to Dammam, another major city in Saudi Arabia.
Growing the International Connections
TRV now serves 13 international and 7 domestic destinations, solidifying its position as a crucial gateway for travelers from South Kerala and South Tamil Nadu.
The airport’s traffic surged by 27% year-on-year in FY24 compared to FY23, attributing this growth to strong airline partnerships and efficient airport operations.
A significant portion of TRV’s international traffic extends beyond nonstop destinations to hubs in the UK, US, and Asia-Pacific, indicating potential for new underserved routes.
Domestic growth at TRV is expected to accelerate, driven by expanding leisure and medical tourism sectors, alongside a rapidly growing IT industry. As the airport serving Kerala’s capital city, TRV is strategically positioned to cater to these burgeoning industries.
Adani Airports, which operates TRV, reaffirms its commitment to enhancing connectivity and improving passenger experiences.
Also Read, Air India Express Launching New Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi Flight – Aviation A2Z
Competition on Route
There is no competition on the TRV-RUH route as no Indian or Gulf-based carrier operates flights between these two cities.
Air India Express is the sole carrier to serve this route once a week. So basically it has the monopoly on this route and can charge higher fares from passengers wanting to fly non-stop.
Before the commencement of these direct flights, the Indian airlines used to transfer passengers from Mumbai (BOM) and Hyderabad (HYD) hubs.
Further, some carrier which has codeshare and interline deals with Gulf carriers used to fly passengers to other Middle Eastern cities, and from there, a regional carrier used to fly passengers to Riyadh.
While Gulf carriers used to fly passengers from the main hubs such as Dammam (DMM), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Sharjah (SHJ), Bahrain (BAH), Muscat (MCT) or via other cities.
What are your thoughts on Air India Express’ direct and only flight between TRV and RUH? Let us know in the comments.
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