Air India launches Pune, Mumbai flights

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 16

Air India today launched direct flights from Chandigarh to Pune and Mumbai. The first-ever flight from the city to Pune took off from the international airport in Mohali at 10.50 am while the Chandigarh- Mumbai flight took off from Chandigarh at 5.45 pm. With the new launch, there are now four direct flights from the city to Mumbai.

With the first-ever flight from Chandigarh to Pune, both emerging IT hubs have been connected and the air link is expected to give a major boost to the industry. “Both flights are receiving a good response and the inaugural flights went full,” the national carrier said.

To celebrate the commencement of the flights, cultural activities, including bhangra, were performed at the airport. Both flights will run five days a week from Monday to Friday. The flight AI 813 took off from Chandigarh at 10.50 am and reached Pune at 1.20 pm. The return flight AI 814 from Pune departed at 2 pm and landed in Chandigarh at 4.30 pm. The flight AI 642 took off from Chandigarh at 5.45 pm and reached Mumbai at 8.10 pm. The flight AI 641 from Mumbai  departed at 7.20 am and landed in Chandigarh at 10 am.

Last year, Air India had placed Chandigarh on the international map by commencing the first international flight from the city to Sharjah.

“Air India has successfully linked different corners of the country, under the ‘Connect India’ programme. The two newly launched flights will not only boost connectivity from Chandigarh but will also cut down the travel time for passengers from Chandigarh to Mumbai and Pune,” the official spokesperson said.