Kullu-Delhi flight fare to be slashed

Our Correspondent

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Kullu, July 13

Dinesh Bhardwaj, Station Manager, Air India, Bhuntar, said the fares of the Kullu-Delhi sector would be reduced further for the new 70-seater Air India flight from Delhi to both the airports in Himachal at Bhuntar in Kullu and Gaggal in Kangra.

He said the numbers of passenger carrying capacity had been increased and thus a proposal to release a larger number of seats at a reduced fare had been forwarded to the higher authorities.

Aviation experts said the 48-seater aircraft which was earlier used by the Air India here could carry around 20 passengers to Delhi as the Bhuntar airport had a shorter runway. Due to which restrictions were imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), thereby reducing the availability of seats and charging around Rs 16,000 for one way flight.

The experts further stated that the airline was now offering a reduced fare of around Rs 8,200 and even the number of seats had been increased.

Bhardwaj said a bigger aircraft of ATR-600 series had the latest technology and was equipped with boosters, which allowed 60 passengers on board from Delhi to Bhuntar.

He said the new aircraft was more luxurious and offered better seating and state of the art facilities.

He said 61 passengers flew from Delhi yesterday. Sources revealed that the Air India was the first airline to use modern aircrafts and had procured four such aircrafts and was planning to accrue four more by the end of this year and further achieving a fleet of 16 in total by March next year.

Aviation experts said the growth of fleet was favourable as the Delhi-Shimla sector had not witnessed scheduled operations after the closure of Kingfisher Airlines in September 2012. Beneficiaries associated with the tourism industry have hailed the launch of bigger aircraft to Kullu from Delhi.

Atishaye, president, Kullu Travel Agents Association, said the reduced fares and increased number of seats would boost the number of air travellers to the region.

He said earlier seats were not available during the summer season.