On the occasion of Kerala’s harvest festival Onam, Indian low-cost airline Air India Express has announced the launch of additional flights to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi in Kerala from Abu Dhabi. Flights IX450 will fly from Abu Dhabi on September 6 at 5 am, revealed Dhananjay Kumar, official spokesperson, Air India.

The official clarified this is only a one-time flight for the festival season. Onam celebrations in Kerala are set to begin on Sunday, September 1 and will conclude on September 13. Presently, Air India Express operates daily flights to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram from UAE’s capital city.

According to a PTI report, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has promised that additional flights will be operated to Kerala from Gulf countries during Onam season to alleviate the difficulties faced by expatriate passengers. “This facility will be continued during other festival seasons and holidays too,” he said while inaugurating the meeting of Pravasi Legal Cell in Kochi on Sunday.