Air India Express is set to start a weekly flight from Tiruchy International Airport to Jeddah on June 12. This flight will include a stopover in Mangaluru.
With this new route, Tiruchy will now connect to 10 international destinations. Previously, Saudi Arabian Airlines operated a Tiruchy-Jeddah service, which was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to The Indian Express.
According to the schedule, the Air India Express flight will leave Tiruchy at 12.55 PM and reach Jeddah at 6.25 PM. The return flight will depart from Jeddah at 7.25 PM and arrive in Tiruchy at 5.35 AM. This service will be available every Wednesday.
J Jahir Hussain, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India, Tamil Nadu chapter, stated that this new service will be a boon for Tamils working in Jeddah, many of whom are from central Tamil Nadu.
“Muslims now visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina throughout the year. Jeddah is a key hub for Haj and Umrah pilgrims, making this flight very convenient. Immigration and luggage checks will be completed at Tiruchy airport,” Hussain explained. He also emphasized the potential growth in this sector and called for more services.
Abdul Rahman, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board and former Lok Sabha MP, highlighted that Jeddah is a modern commercial hub and a gateway for pilgrims to Islamic holy cities. The new Air India Express service will provide a convenient travel option for senior citizens, he added.
