Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, launched its daily flight services from Mysuru to Kochi, Goa and Hyderabad on Friday shoring up connectivity from the city to other parts of the country.
The three services are in addition to flights to Chennai operated by TruJet and to Bengaluru – also by Alliance Air. Alliance Air has helped provide air connectivity linking prominent tourist and commercial centres in the southern region with Mysuru.
All the flights to and from Mysuru are being operated under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN (Udey Desh Ka Aam Nagarik) and have generated a high load factor. Mysuru MP Pratap Simha said there was over 80% load factor for all flights originating from Mysuru. He said air connectivity to Mysuru was essential not only for promotion of tourism but to lure investors. Direct flights from the city would expedite industrial development.
He added that there was scope to increase flight services to other centres as well and there was a demand for flights to Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. Lack of connectivity had impeded tourism promotion in a big way and this is being now addressed.
It was also announced that two new services would be launched from October 27 when the winter schedule of the flights kicked in. Mysuru will have another day-flight to Chennai operated by TruJet. At present, TruJet operates a late evening flight to Chennai. The second flight will be to Belagavi, said Mr. Simha. In addition, Indigo has sought a slot to operate from Hyderabad and Mysuru.
He said the Centre and the State were keen to promote and develop Mysuru airport and expressed confidence that the proposed extension of the runway from 1,740 metres to 2,600 would be completed in a few years. Stakeholders aver a longer runway will facilitate operating bigger planes and provide long-haul flights from Mysuru to other cities.
For passengers and tourists, the new flights connecting Mysuru to tourist centres is a relief as it obviates the need to travel to Bengaluru airport which takes about 5 hours. A passenger, Geetha Krishna, who is flying to Goa with her husband said, “We are relieved and only wish that these services are not discontinued.”
On the first flight to Goa, 59 passengers had booked tickets for an aircraft with a passenger capacity of 72. On the maiden flight from Hyderabad to Mysuru, there were 65 passengers while there were 58 passengers on the flight to Kochi.
Published - July 20, 2019 12:45 am IST
