Indian Consul General Mukta Tomar cutting ribbon accompanied by Mayor Aide to her right. Also seen in the picture are Jude Crasto, Manager Air India Midwest, Katherine Thorat, Sunny Thomas and others
CHICAGO: Air India’s first non-stop flight to India from Chicago took off just as the Diwali auspicious week began for Indian American community in Midwest. The event was celebrated at O’Hare airport terminal 5 by Air India’s local office and airport staff amidst cheerful greetings by distinguished guests, aviation officials and travel agents.
The Indian Consul General in Chicago Mrs Mukta Dutta Tomar cut the inaugural ribbon in front of Air India’s First & Business Class check-in counters at the O’Hare airport. Jude Crasto, Manager Air India Chicago, Katherine Thorat District Sales Manager, Airport Manager Thomas Sunny and others joined the inaugural ceremony.
The event was witnessed by many Air India passengers who were eagerly waiting for the first check-in for Air India’s first non-stop flight from Chicago.
Soon after the inaugural ceremony, the Air India team led the local media persons and travel agents to the departure gate where formal inauguration announcement was made by Manager Jude Crasto. Welcoming the guests, Jude Crasto briefly spoke about Air India Chicago operations and said the first non-stop flight from Chicago to India is going to be the fastest route for travelers to India. Air India non-stop flight leaving Chicago at 2.45 pm will land at 5.05pm next day in Delhi and will reach passengers to most Indian cities within hours. For the first time Hyderabad passengers leaving from Chicago will be reaching home at 8.15pm next day.
Passengers for Ahmedabad will land at 8.20pm. All passengers traveling to Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Kolkota, Bangalore and Chennai will have the customs and immigration at the destination airport and will be reaching much before mid-night of next day. Air India is now much ahead of other airlines reaching passengers to all Indian cities within shorter flying time.
Indian Consul General Mrs Tomar congratulated Air India local team and Indian American community for the national carrier’s first ever non-stop flight from Chicago. She remarked the new operation will be a popular choice soon. Jean Lee, the administrative officer from Chicago Mayor’s office read a message of good wishes from Mayor Richard Daley. A cake ceremony followed near the departure gate.
The new non-stop Air India flight from Chicago is already the first choice by many travelers from Midwest. Many passengers at check-in counter and departure gate were happy to travel Air India non-stop and expressed satisfaction that the new flight will be most comfortable and the fastest way to reach home. The choicest Indian cuisines on board Air India flight will be another attraction for travelers to India. The beginning of Air India non-stop flight to India from Chicago added to the festive occasion of Diwali for Midwest Indian Americans.
A.Q. Siddiqui
India Post News Service
