Malaysian Malindo Air is T2's new customer

Malysia's hybrid airline Malindo Air on Saturday started direct flights from Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur.

While Malindo becomes the 31st airline to operate international flights from Mumbai, it is the first carrier to have started services after the Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport was inaugurated.

The development is significant with the airport's attempt to turn Mumbai, which is the economic capital of India, into an aviation hub, and subsequently increase the passenger capacity.

Terminal 2, which is part of the airport's development programme, has been built at a cost of over Rs 5,500 crore.

Druk Air, Singapore-TATA, are among the other airlines which are expected to start their operations from T2 in the near future.

National carrier, Air India, which moved its hub from Mumbai to Delhi last year, is also planning to remake the city as its second hub, following the integration of the new terminal by next year.

Chief Executive officer of Malindo Air, Chandran Rama Muthy said, "As a key commercial and cultural centre in India which successfully marries the tradition and modernity against backdrop of a spectacular landscape, Mumbai has something for everyone, regardless whether you are travelling here for business or leisure." The airline recently started operations from Delhi, and Trichy. It has further plans to fly from Ahmedabad and Kochi.