First non-stop Ahmedabad to London flight takes off

AHMEDABAD: The first direct flight from here to London took off today with 226 passengers on board.

The Jet Airways flight took off from Sardar Patel international airport here this afternoon.

Darshin Patel, one of the first passengers to check in for in the inaugural flight, said: "This is a very beneficial flight because of its timing, as we are scheduled to reach Heathrow Airport by 1905 hours London time. Passengers from Gujarat also do not have to go to Mumbai for a transit flight."


The flight uses a special aircraft configured for international operations with 30 seats in the premier class and 196 in the economy class with in-flight entertainment.


The passengers were also thrilled at the prospect of having the option to sample Gujarati cuisine during the flight to London.


"This non-stop flight is bound to save so much time and energy of poassengers and will also benefit those who have to go to London or come to Ahmedabad in a hurry," Nisha Patel, another traveller, said.


"The flight will be operated twice a week and the frequency may then be increased. The response has been good for the maiden flight," Nishali Sheth, a senior Jet Airways official, said.