A Lucknow-based company has come forward to provide intra-State connectivity by operating flights between the three airports of the State. Initially, the flights to be operated by Awadh Ifraland Ltd using a 9 seater Cessna aircraft Grand Caravan will be from Thiruvananthapuram to Kozhikode and back daily. The maiden flight of the company will take off from Thiruvananthapuram international airport at 7 a.m. to Kozhikode on January 23.
There will be daily morning and evening flights in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode sector. Later, the flights will be introduced in Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi sector and via Kochi to Mangalore and Coimbatore. The airline is offering seats for Rs. 2,999 in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode leg and Rs. 1,800 in the Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi sector.
“We have got all the necessary clearance and approvals from the Airports Authority of India and other agencies to commence the flight operations. We have approached the government for exemption on VAT and other subsidies,” the CEO, Abdul Jaleel O. K. told a press conference here on Tuesday.
The aircraft, taken on lease from Deccan Charters, will be based in Thiruvananthapuram international airport for the flight operations in the State. The aircraft will be taken to Bangalore after every 100 hours of flying for the mandatory check.
The passengers can check in 20 minutes before the departure of the flight. The passengers will be offered window seats with business class comfort. The short-haul flights will be a big boost for the development of tourism and industry sector, he added.
Head of the Operations, Ramesh Kumar said they have plans to commence flights in other States also to offer regional connectivity. The company is to procure a 19-seater Viking Twin Otter by April to enhance operational capacity. Air ambulance and charter service is also on the anvil, he added.
