Domestic airlines will operate almost 30 per cent more flights from October this year than they operated in October last year. The planned increase in flights by the industry is the highest in the history of aviation.
Besides, Puducherry will become the 83{+r}{+d} airport to get air connectivity with SpiceJet planning a daily flight from Chennai during winter.
The domestic airlines plan to operate 14,750 flights a week during the winter schedule. Globally, the winter schedule extends from the last Sunday of October every year till the last Saturday of March the following year.
Bonanza for South
The implementation of the new schedule will prove to be a bonanza for southern States.
SpiceJet plans to use a 40-75 seater Canadian Regional Jet Q 400 aircraft to operate between Chennai and Puducherry. The launch of the flight may also be the beginning of regional service for the airline.
According to DGCA sources, there will be an almost 75 per cent increase in connectivity to Port Blair from various parts of the country. Domestic airlines plan to operate 75 weekly flights from the current level of 42 weekly flights.
National Carrier Air India plans to start direct flight to Port Blair from New Delhi, while low-cost carrier Go Air plans provide connection from Chennai and Kolkata.
Kingfisher has plans to fly from Bangalore and Kolkata to Port Blair.
Agatti in Lakshwadeep and Pantnagar are the cities scheduled to get more flights this winter schedule. Jet Airways is going to provide direct connectivity to Agartala from New Delhi. At present, you can reach Agartala via Kolkata or Guwahati only.
“Airlines are very bullish. Bulk bookings by corporate are on rise. Occasional travel by air is also increasing that is why airlines are planning to operate more flights during winter schedule,” said a senior DGCA official.
Passenger traffic
During the first five months of calendar year 2011, passenger traffic increased by over 17 per cent to nearly 2.45 crore. For the whole year, growth is expected to be 20 per cent.