KOCHI: Considering the increasing number of Malayalis who regularly visit Rome and the Vatican, Air India has decided to start a connection flight from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Rome and Milan.
Though there is a change of flight at New Delhi, the national carrier is emerging as a business model to fly to Rome and back at the cheapest price. Air India is the only carrier in the country with a direct flight to Rome and Milan from Delhi and connecting the domestic airports with baggage clearance from the domestic airport.
The official spokesperson for Air India said that the greatest advantage of the proposed service is that baggage will reach the destination from the Kerala airports. The customs and emigration clearance will have to be done from New Delhi.
“This is the cheapest flight from the country and will benefit the tourist pilgrims who visit Rome and Vatican. The economy of Kerala will also benefit with tourists from Italy arriving in the state,” he said.
Paulose K Mathew, general manager, Coraz Travel and Trade Links Pvt Ltd, said that if the national carrier provides better service to the passengers, the connection flight will be a huge advantage to the Christian community, which visits the holy places in Rome.
At present, Air India fare for Rome comes to around `40,000, which changes subject to availability for two-way travel. Whereas the other international flights charge nearly `50,000, with a stoppage in West Asia.
Sebastian Kochukudiyil, coordinator of the tour group from St Martin Church, Palarivattom, Kochi, says that when a tour is planned comfort is the priority as the passengers are mostly in the age group of 50 to 70.
If Air India provides more comfort along with lower fare, it would also be considered for the journey, he added.