When many private airlines evinced interest and operated flights from Madurai to different destinations, what was the reason for the national carrier, Air India, to neglect the city, ask frequent fliers.
When Madurai airport was modernised a couple of years ago at a cost of over Rs. 100 crore and international flights to countries like Sri Lanka and Dubai were commenced, the ancient city’s frequent travellers welcomed the move. However, the joy appeared short lived.
Despite a series of representations from the trade and industry such as the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, Travel Club and Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association, there was no tangible progress in bringing new additions by the national carrier.
Though private airlines, including Spice Jet, Jet Airways and even the recently-started Air Carnival, operated a number of trips to Madurai and connected the temple city with destinations like Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad daily, the Air India operated just one flight (Mumbai-Chennai-Madurai -Chennai-Mumbai).
While the frequent travellers are annoyed over the stoic silence maintained by the elected representatives, they are equally upset about the attitude of Air India. “When the national carrier gives preference to cities like Tiruchi and Coimbatore, what is missing for Madurai,” asked Travel Club member N. Sriram of Balika Tours and Travels. The Travel Club had represented to Air india to fly Madurai-Colombo and Madurai-Dubai two years ago, but in vain. “If the Union government permitted private airlines and stayed away from not operating its own carrier, it gave room for suspicion. Instead of neglecting the city, the authorities should consider Madurai’s potential,” he noted.
Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior president S. Rethinavelu said that when Air India operated more flights and launched bigger aircraft to destinations like Kaula Lumpur, Dubai and Colombo, there was a plenty of scope for private airlines to cut on fares.
A senior AI official requesting anonymity said that representations would be considered positively and refused to elaborate. Sources in private airlines said that Indigo Airlines was expected to operate an Airbus between Chennai and Madurai from March, while Spice Jet was keen to add another connectivity between Madurai and Hyderabad and Jet Airways was planning to launch Delhi-Mumbai-Madurai-Mumbai-Delhi flight.
