Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, May 20: Air India's first special flight to Muscat landed at Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday, May 20. The IX-818 Boeing 737 had first landed in Bengaluru and then continued its flight to Mangaluru with 65 passengers.
Addressing the passengers, Mangalurean pilot Capt Michael Saldanha, who was flying the aircraft said, “On behalf of the government of India, Air India Express family and crew, I would like to extend you a very warm welcome on board Air India Express flight IX818 from Muscat to Bengaluru and then onto Mangaluru.
“It is an honour for me and my crew to fly you home on this very first flight from Muscat to the state of Karnataka as part of the Vande Bharat mission, an initiative of the government of India to bring our fellow brothers and sisters who have been stranded all over the world back to our motherland India. The world right now is facing an unprecedented crisis with the onset and the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. As a result countries are shutdown, people have been separated from their families. Literally everything is under lockdown. But we, the crew of Air India Express, have voluntarily stepped up for our country to bring our stranded countrymen back to their homes and to their loved ones. As you can see, my fellow crew members are dressed in PPE suits, this is a part of protocol, but inside, they are the same warm and friendly crew who will make sure you all will have a comfortable flight.
“Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight. It is a pleasure having you all on board. Stay safe, stay strong. Jai hind,” he concluded.
Capt Michael Saldanha was assisted by first officer Venu Madhav with the cabin crew led by Clayton D’Souza and assisted by Himani, Arun Mohan, and Siddarath Kadam.