https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170201/jsp/calcutta/story_133408.jsp#.WJHKTFN97IU
Calcutta's domestic aviation sector is set to get a boost with AirAsia announcing flights to Delhi via Ranchi from March 15.
The low-cost carrier plans to introduce flights to Goa, Bagdogra and Jaipur from the city later this year, airline officials said. Towards the end of March or the beginning of April, AirAsia will also launch flights to Bali in Indonesia, a popular tourist destination which is not connected to Calcutta by any direct flight.
Aviation industry experts hope that the airline's entry into the Calcutta market - AirAsia India had been planning to make its foray into the city sector since last year - would bring down the fares further.
"AirAsia India is in its growth phase and is rapidly expanding its business. As part of our expansion plans, we intend to launch daily flights connecting Calcutta-Ranchi-Delhi," Amar Abrol, managing director & CEO, AirAsia India, told Metro today.
The airline - where Malaysia's AirAsia Berhad and Tata Sons have 49 per cent stake each - plans to run its Calcutta-Ranchi-Delhi flights with two Airbus A-320 aircraft, each with 180-odd seats.
Airline sources said one flight would leave Calcutta in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
The Calcutta-Ranchi sector is now serviced by IndiGo and Air India.
"AirAsia India is exploring routes which have fewer flights compared with the demand, instead of focussing on regular sectors such as the metros," a source said.
Tour operators said AirAsia India's entry into Calcutta's domestic market would help reduce the fares further and encourage more people to switch from train to flight.
The city airport handles more than 20,000 domestic fliers daily on an average.
"When AirAsia's full-fledged operations start, we expect the fares to drop below Rs 1,000 in some sectors. It will be accompanied by a surge in the passenger count," said Anil Punjabi, chairman, east, Travel Agents Federation of India.
As for AirAsia's international flights from Calcutta, Bali would be its third destination after Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
"The airline is looking forward to tapping the market in the cities and towns close to Calcutta by flight," a source said. "It is set to offer cheap onward fares to the South-east Asia destinations for passengers from Ranchi, Bagdogra and other places."
A K Srivastava urges airport authority of starting bus from Ranchi to Jamshedpur
A K Srivastava, president, Jamshedpur Citizen Forum, in a letter to Jayant Sinha, Minister of Civil Aviation, Independent Charge, Government of India, has urged to start bus services from Ranchi Airport to Jamshedpur and from Jamshedpur to Ranchi Airport for the passengers of Jamshedpur area so that they can easily go various places by saving their precious time and that too with cheaper fare of transportation.
Srivastava, who is also a trustee of Adityapur Small Industries Association (ASIA) and Singbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI), suggested that Airport Authority may open an office at Jamshedpur for passenger checking facility to carry their luggage also
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“I will further suggest that Airport Authority may open an office at Jamshedpur for passenger checking facility to carry their luggage also. Only security check may be done at Airport. By taking this step the numbers of passengers will increase and it will be cheaper for passengers going to different places from Ranchi Airport.”
AI to offer 7 special flights
Seven special Air India flights, (five from Calcutta and two from Delhi) have been arranged on request between February 15 to 17 to help fly in delegates to the forthcoming Global Investor Summit in Ranchi.
"The flight services would be extremely useful for delegates who would visit Ranchi during the summit," said director (industries) K. Ravikumar.
These flights would be particularly useful for the embassy staff of Japan, Tunisia, Czech Republic and Mongolia, who are scheduled to grace the occasion as their home countries have all agreed to be partner countries during the summit.
"Japan, Tunisia, Czech Republic and Mongolia would be partner countries during GIS. We have received confirmation from their embassies. Also, senior representatives of these countries will be present during the various sectoral conferences and chances are many would find opportunities of partnership," said Ravikumar.
The state government is also planning to unveil a coffee table book during the inaugural session of the summit. The book, being developed by PR firm Adfactors, is expected to contain information about Jharkhand and highlight its investment potential vis-à-vis various sectors. It will be included in the official kit for delegates.
Cargo terminal for Ranchi airport ahead of business meet
TNN | 6 hours ago
RANCHI: Chief minister Raghubar Das will inaugurate a cargo terminal at Birsa Munda Airport on Friday. Airport authorities here on Wednesday said the terminal would be able to handle up to 50 tonnes of cargo everyday once it becomes operational.
"Our efforts are directed towards getting the terminal ready before the global investment summit on February 16 and 17. We had received directives from the state industries department early in January. It is important for a state capital like Ranchi, which has immense potential for industries, to have a well-equipped cargo terminal," said Rakesh Singh, officer on special duty.
The terminal, which has been operating on a trial basis for the past few weeks, was scheduled to begin full-fledged operation by August. The terminal is equipped with explosives trace detection devices, cargo X-ray machines, hardware security machines and CCTV cameras.
Until now, the airport authority has not recruited any personnel to handle cargo. "We have only one executive for handling the terminal and the existing staff will be handling the workload at the new terminal. We will soon start recruiting more people," said airport cargo manager, Z A Ahmed.
At the moment, the airport is short of cargo trolleys. The airport authorities said they will purchase more trolleys soon. Earlier on February 6, K. Ravi Kumar, director (department of industry), had conducted an inspection at the terminal and gave nod for inauguration of the cargo terminal on February 10 as per schedule.
Ranchi-Hyderabad & Ranchi-Chennai flight soon: Sinha
Press Trust of India | Ranchi Feb 10, 2017 08:32 PM IST
A new flight service from Ranchi to Hyderabad and Chennai will soon begin, said Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.
There are 14 flights from Ranchi now and four more would start from April, Sinha said.
He was speaking after Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das inaugurated multi-purpose inter-national air terminal (cargo complex) at the Birsa Munda Airport here.
^^ Beautiful pics
Just read in Kolkata Airport thread that Air India is planning to start Mumbai - Ranchi flight starting March as they have received a delivery of A320 NEOs.
That would be a wonderful addition to this underserved route.