Air India to start out Kochi-London direct flight from August 18

By Express News Service

KOCHI: With the United Kingdom transferring India from its Red to Amber record, a categorisation facilitating worldwide journey throughout Covid time, Air India has determined to function direct service to Heathrow from Kochi on Wednesdays beginning August 18. In a bid to draw extra European carriers, Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has determined to waive the parking and touchdown charge for carriers from Europe.

Kochi is the one worldwide airport within the state which gives direct air connectivity to London. Air India will deploy Dreamliner class plane to function service on this sector. The AI 150/149 plane will arrive in Kochi at 03.45 am and can depart for London at 05.50 am on Wednesdays.

“Connectivity to European countries has been a long-pending demand raised by the expats. We have waived parking and landing fees for the airlines operating direct services to London. The CIAL believes that this gesture will give an impetus for our efforts to attract carriers from other parts of the world. We hope that within a year, we will be able to host more foreign airlines,” mentioned CIAL Managing Director S Suhas.

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With the graduation of latest flight to London, 1000’s of expats stranded because of Covid restrictions will be capable to proceed to their locations in India and the UK from August 18. The flight will take 10 hrs from Kochi to reach in Heathrow. Entering the UK from locations on the amber record requires three Covid-19 checks — the primary, not less than three days previous to departure; the second, on the day of arrival or earlier than Day 2; and the third, on or after Day 8.

Home quarantine for 10 days can also be necessary. For UK nationals who’re totally vaccinated, neither quarantine nor the eighth-day check is required. People who’ve been totally vaccinated within the United States and different European international locations is not going to must quarantine on arrival in England or take the eight-day check.

Meanwhile, the passenger departures to UAE from Kochi have gained momentum after the UAE authorities determined to just accept Indians who adjust to the rules. The Kochi airport began facilitating departure operations to the UAE on August 5.

As many as 450 passengers have flown to the UAE from CIAL until Friday. The airport scheduled six departure operations to UAE on Saturday and 600 passengers boarded the flights operated by Emirates, Etihad, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Air India Express operated companies.