Only 12 bookings for Kullu flight

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 11

The recently announced Air India flight from Chandigarh to Kullu, which is set to take off from the Chandigarh international airport on October 13, has received a poor response with only 12 bookings so far. An Air India official at the airport said the response had been below par due to the upcoming Diwali festivities, adding that the demand for the Kullu flight would pick up in the winter season.

“People celebrate Diwali with their families at home and have postponed their vacation plans due to the festival,” the official said, adding, “The bookings opened a few days ago. The flight is expected to receive a more encouraging response in some time.” The aircraft (ATR 72) has a seating capacity of 55 passengers. The Chandigarh-Kullu-Chandigarh flight will operate six days a week from Monday to Saturday and is a recent addition to the summer flight

schedule. The flight will come from Bhuntar at 8.35 am and reach Chandigarh at 9.20 am. The flight will depart from Chandigarh at 9.50 am and reach Kullu at 10.35 am.

The fare for the 45-minute flight has come down considerably in the past four days. The one-way ticket for a direct flight to Kullu, which was available for Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 a few days ago, is now available for Rs 5,500-Rs 6,000. “The air fares are variable, depending on various factors, including the demand, input costs and bookings,” an official said. On October 5, Air India had inaugurated a test flight from Kullu via Chandigarh to Delhi.

Bangkok flight unlikely this winter

The Air India flight to Bangkok, which was to start on October 6, may not operate in the winter schedule, which will come into force on October 29. According to sources, the international flight to Bangkok is unlikely to be included in the winter schedule. “No information has been received regarding the Bangkok flight,” an Air India official said.