State-run low cost carrier Air India Express is all set to start operations to Bahrain on March 25. According to a report, the no frills airline will take the number of Air India flights between Bahrain and India to 11 a week from the current seven.

The airline plans to plans to add Mangalore as a new destination from Bahrain. The company also plans to announce ticket fares at least 20 per cent cheaper than the current fares when the new flights start.

As per the airline’s plans, it would operate four flights to Mumbai, five flights to Kochi and Kozhikode, two to Mangalore and one to Thiruvananthapuram. The normal Air India operations are being replaced by the low cost Air India Express, according to a spokesperson. The new services are expected to attract more Indian passengers as the fares would be at least 20 per cent cheaper than the normal fares.

With the plans afoot in this regard, a team of officials from Air India Express has visited Bahrain to provide necessary training for the airline's office and airport employees, as well as BAS staff. The current fleet of A310s will be replaced by Air India Express' Boeing 737-800, a report added. As per another report, the A310 has a capacity of 22 seats on the J-class and 180 on the economy class. The 737 will offer 170 seats all on the economy class, it added.