Akasa Air will run daily flights between Bagdogra and Bangalore from April 17, officials of the private airline that started its services in August last year said on Monday.
“Akasa Air, which is the newest airline in India, will step into West Bengal through the service between Bagdogra and Bangalore. The new flight will strengthen the airline’s domestic presence in eastern parts of the country,” said a representative of the carrier.
He said the service would enhance the connectivity between north Bengal and Bangalore, one of the busiest metro cities in the country. As of now, two or three direct flights operate between Bagdogra and Bangalore.
The airline connects 14 cities in the country. “Bagdogra will be the 15th destination. The company will run a Boeing 737 Max aircraft on the route. It will be a non-stop flight,” said a source.
From April 17, the flight (QP1372) will leave Bangalore at 7.30am and reach Bagdogra at 10.15am. The return flight (QP1373) will leave Bagdogra at 10.55am and touch down in Bangalore at 1.45pm.
As of now, around 56 flight movements are recorded at Bagdogra every day, while 8,000 to 9,000 passengers travel through the airport.
“Known for its serene landscapes and expansive tea estates, Bagdogra has been garnering growing interest among travellers from across the country. It also serves as the gateway to northeastern states. The improvement in air connectivity will boost the economic activity in the area,” Praveen Iyer, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Akasa Air, said in a statement.
Residents of north Bengal have said hundreds of youths from the region and Sikkim work in Bangalore, especially in the IT sector.
“Also, people from here regularly visit the city for healthcare and educational purposes. An additional flight on the route would surely help us,” said Jayanta Moulik, an entrepreneur in Siliguri.
Trains disrupted
Sealdah: Thousands of passengers had a torrid time on Monday because of disruptions in trains in the Sealdah suburban section.
Railway officials attributed the disruptions to “non-interlocking work for commissioning of a third line” between Naihati and Kalyani stations.
Divisional railway manager of Sealdah, Deepak Nigam, said the work had been rescheduled for the convenience of Higher Secondary candidates. The number of cancelled trains has been reduced, he said.
But several trains will still be cancelled. “Thirteen pairs of trains will remain cancelled between Sealdah and Kalyanion Tuesday. From March 15 to 19, 21 pairs of trains between Sealdah and Kalyani will remain cancelled. But during rush hours, there will be no cancellations keeping in mind HS candidates,” said an official of the Sealdah division.
Our Bureau