Flights to operate on Sunday based on demand: Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 12, 2021

Minister in-charge Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday said flights from Delhi-Shillong can also operate on Sundays if the demand is there.

Replying to a zero hour notice tabled by East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh in the Assembly, Dhar said the first flight from Delhi-Shillong and back took off on December 21, last year till date.

He said M/s Big Shutter Private Limited “Fly Big” was selected as the Airline operator and till date 75 flights have been operated, carrying a total of 289 passengers.

The minister however said it was a fact that as per the agreement the flight was supposed to operate twice a week and due to the low load on account of COVID it operated once a week.

“However, it was not fixed to operate only for a few days. If the demand is there, flights can also operate on Sunday,” he said.

Dhar added the booking of tickets will be regularized on travel websites once we get our own aircraft and as of now the flight is being hired by Spice Jet flight.

On the concern raised by the member about the price, he said the price was kept at Rs 7,000 and the charge is below Rs 7,000 and it should not be beyond Rs 7,000 per passenger per seat.

The minister also informed that when the state opened up for tourism from December 21, last year and the government took up the matter of reservation of Kolkata, Shillong-Kolkata flight.

He said after the deliberation and discussions Indigo resumed flight between Kolkata-Shillong-Kolkata from February 1, this year and is flying daily except on Sunday.

Presently on an average 100 passengers are travelling per day by Indigo flight on the Kolkata-Shillong-Kolkata routes, he added.

Meanwhile, Dhar also assured to take up with the Airport Authority of India regarding the need to improve the facilities in the Shillong Airport at Umroi.