First direct flight from Europe touches down in Kochi

KOCHI: A long-cherished dream of the business community and NRIs in Kerala was fructified on Friday as the first direct flight from a European country touched down at Kochi airport at 3.28 am on Friday. Welcoming the Onam gift from Air India, Cochin International Airport Ltd welcomed AI 1186 from London with a water salute. In a bid to promote direct connectivity to Europe, CIAL has decided to waive off landing fee for airlines operating direct services to European countries from Kochi. The decision will give instant advantage for the national carrier as it schedules direct London-Kochi flight till September 27.