Wednesday August 19th, 2015

Sharjah, 18 August 2015: Air India Express, commenced Its thrice weekly direct non-stop services between Sharjah and Varanasi effective 17 August 2015 with B737 aircraft.A function held at the Sharjah International Airport to flag off the inaugural flight from Sharjah to Varanasi was attended by HE Shaikh Faisal Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, Mr Melvin DeSilva, Regional Manager – Gulf, Middle East & Africa -Air India Express and Mr. Prem Sagar, Manager – Dubai & Sharjah, in addition to other airport officials and Air India Express senior managers.HE Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority stated:” We wish Air India Express all the success. A carrier of such prestige and repute as Air India Express provides additional choices to the subcontinent bound travelers”.He added:”Sharjah International Airport became a strategic choice for many airlines, thanks to the airport’s efficiency of operations, making it easier for the company to serve its customers in the region”.HE Shaikh Faisal Saoud Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Airport Authority, said:”We assure the airline that Sharjah International Airport would continue to provide the best services and facilities to all carriers operating through the airport, ensuring their smooth and efficient operations for the ease and comfort of airline.”He emphasised the importance of Sharjah as an industrial, trade and tourism destination in the region and maintained that this service would further enhance the strong relation between the two countries.Mr Melvin DeSilva, Regional Manager – Gulf, Middle East & Africa mentioned that these services open a new chapter in the historical relationship between Sharjah and Air India group as Sharjah becomes the only city in the Gulf & Middle East to be connected to Varanasi by direct non-stop services by any airline.Mr. Prem Sagar, Manager – Dubai & Sharjah thanked the Department of Civil Aviation-Sharjah and Sharjah Airport Authority for their continued support extended to Air India Express and Air India. While providing details, Mr Sagar advised that these services would be operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight IX 184 on Sharjah-Varanasi sector would depart from Sharjah at 1050 hours and arrive at Varanasi at 1600 hours and the return flight IX 183 on Varanasi-Sharjah sector would depart from Varanasi at 1700 hours and arrive at Sharjah at 1930 hours. Air India Express has announced attractive inaugural fares. There is also an inaugural Free Baggage Allowance of 35 kgs up to 15 September 2015.