Mangaluru (K’taka), Oct 26 The Mangaluru International Airport on Monday expanded its international network with the launch of Air India Express’s direct service to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.
According to a release from the Airport authorities here today, the new sector was introduced on the second day of the Winter Schedule 2026, adding the industrial port city of Ras Al Khaimah as the latest international destination from the coastal Karnataka airport.
The inaugural outbound flight IX 871 departed for Ras Al Khaimah with 146 passengers, indicating healthy initial demand for the Gulf route. The corresponding inbound flight IX 872 arrived in Mangaluru with 36 passengers on Monday.
Air India Express will operate the service twice a week — every Monday and Saturday. Flight IX 871 is scheduled to leave Mangaluru at 9.30 am while IX 872 is timed to arrive from Ras Al Khaimah at 6.25 pm, it said.
Of the 58 international weekly flights planned from Mangaluru under the Winter Schedule, 38 services are to the UAE, comprising 20 to Dubai, 16 to Abu Dhabi and two to Ras Al Khaimah. The remaining flights connect to other major Middle East destinations, it added.
Airport officials noted that Ras Al Khaimah’s proximity to Sharjah and Dubai — approximately an hour’s drive — makes the new service convenient for expatriates travelling to the UAE. The route is expected to benefit migrant workers, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic, as well as leisure and business travellers from coastal Karnataka and neighbouring districts.
With the addition of Ras Al Khaimah, the Mangaluru International Airport now offers connectivity to nine international destinations and six domestic sectors.
The expanded network provides passengers greater choice and improved access to key markets in the Middle East, it added.
(PTI News)
