Air India, the only airline currently operating between Aizawl and Calcutta, will start services on two more routes, Aizawl to Guwahati and to Delhi from March, sources said on Thursday.

State BJP spokesperson Johny Lalthanpuia said civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu had promised to introduce Air India `flights` to Delhi and Guwahati from Aizawl during his meeting with party leaders on Wednesday.

He said state BJP general secretary Ramthansanga called on Prabhu on Wednesday and apprised him of the inconveniences faced by the people owing to withdrawal of services by Jet Airways from Aizawl recently and asked him to take remedial steps.

Prabhu said Air India will start operating on two more routes, Aizawl to Guwahati and Aizawl to Delhi to ease the problems of air passengers in the region.

“As half of the month has passed, nothing can be done during February, but Air India flights would be introduced on the Aizawl-Delhi and Aizawl-Guwahati sectors from March,” Prabhu was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the state government is taking effort to restore Mizoram’s air links with Delhi and other capitals.

Principal consultant for civil aviation, Wing Commander Joe Lalhmingliana, said on Wednesday that the state government is currently negotiating with private airlines, including IndiGo, to start services to Guwahati and Delhi from Aizawl. Jet Airways has withdrawn its service to Mizoram after operating the last flight on the Guwahati-Aizawl route on Sunday.

The reason of withdrawal cited by the airlines was non-viability of the route because of fuel price rise, depreciating rupee and a difficult pricing environment.

Along with Aizawl, the airline also withdrew its services from Imphal in Manipur and Assam’s Silchar and Jorhat.

At present, Mizoram has only direct air link with Calcutta, operated by Air India.

The withdrawal of the flight service will also hit business and cancer patients, who fly to New Delhi and other metros for treatment.