Air India has launched non-stop flights between Gatwick and Manohar International Airport at Mopa thrice a week from July 21, thereby becoming the first airline to fly internationally from the MIA.
At present, Air India operates flights between Gatwick and Dabolim Airport thrice a week and it was immediately unclear if these three flights were being diverted to Mopa Airport or if the flights between Gatwick and Dabolim airport were in addition to the new flights launched to and from MIA.
“We now fly from the newly launched Manohar International Airport to Gatwick 3X weekly. Air India is the first carrier to fly internationally from the Manohar International Airport, Goa. The flights will start operations from the same from July 21 onwards,” stated a tweet from Air India.
“To celebrate, a tribute to Mario Miranda – our favourite artist from Goa and forever a part of the Air India art legacy,” stated Air India, while inserting a picture which includes Mario Miranda’s inimitable and iconic caricatures in its tweet.
With Air India starting flights between Gatwick and Mopa, it was unclear whether or not Air India would continue its existing flights between Gatwick and Dabolim airport thrice a week.
Incidentally, a search on Air India’s website revealed that it was operating three flights between July 30 and August 6 from Gatwick to both Dabolim (GOI) and Mopa (GOX) airports.
However, both routes have mentioned the same flight (AI 146).
When asked if Air India would stop flights from Gatwick to Dabolim after having announced the launch of flights from Gatwick to Mopa, Dabolim Airport Director S.V.T. Dhanamjaya Rao said he was unaware of these developments.
