Air India gears up for maiden Bathinda-Delhi flight on Dec 11

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 2

The Air India has geared up for operating its maiden flight between Bathinda and Delhi for three days a week taking off from December 11.

Flights between Bathinda and Delhi have become a reality now with the Air India releasing its flight schedule. Deputy CM Sukbhir Badal had announced in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 25 that the Bathinda-Delhi flight would be operational on December 11. He had also exhorted Modi to inaugurate the flight.

The Bathinda airport has virtually remained a non-starter for four years as no airline showed interest in starting flights from a city which was not an industrial or business hub and where business potential for airlines was seemingly bleak.

The Air India will be operating three flights to Bathinda every week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

“The 70-seater ATR-72 aircraft of the Air India will depart from New Delhi at 7.35 am and it will arrive in Bathinda at 9.5 am. The same flight will depart from Bathinda for New Delhi after half an hour at 9.35 am and will land at the New Delhi airport at 11.5 am,” said RK Negi, Chandigarh Airport manager of Air India while talking to The Tribune.

Asked about the airfare for one way or the two-way trip between Bathinda and New Delhi, Negi said the airline management had not opened the bookings for the flight as yet. “Bookings will be opening soon,” he said.

He said staff has been rushed to Bathinda from Amritsar and other airports for ensuring smooth flight operations and to make arrangements for the December 11 maiden Bathinda-New Delhi flight of the Air India.