CHENNAI: Air India, which has operated direct flights between Chennai and Dubai for over 30 years, has announced the suspension of the service, leaving passengers shocked, according to a Daily Thanthi report.
The airline has also announced that Air India Express will instead operate a Bengaluru-Dubai service.
Several airlines, including IndiGo and Emirates, currently operate direct flights on the Dubai-Chennai sector. Before these private carriers entered the route, Indian Airlines operated direct flights between Chennai and Dubai. Indian Airlines, which was reportedly running at a loss, was merged with Air India in 2007.
As a government-owned airline, Air India was considered an affordable option for the general public, especially for passengers travelling frequently between Chennai and Dubai.
The announcement has caused concern among passengers, as a large number of people travel daily on the route. Aviation experts have said the move reflects neglect of Tamil Nadu in route planning. Meanwhile, passengers have urged both the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to intervene and take steps to resume the direct Chennai-Dubai flight service.