After the withdrawal of Alliance Air flights AI 9751/ AI 9752 (Guwahati-Dimapur-Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati) and AI 9701/9702 (Kolkata-Dimapur-Kolkata), the move has rather helped private airlines increase the airfares and hit connectivity not only to Nagaland but also other Northeastern states.
ATR aircrafts had been catering to more than 600 passengers on average daily from the entire region. But, the withdrawal of the ATR service has disrupted connectivity in the region, sources said.
Now for instance, anyone planning to fly to and fro Delhi would have to pay double the amount due to the heavy rush. Out of desperation, some had to purchase business class tickets to reach their destination till last week.
A businessman who often book tickets online through Air India website was shocked to see that there was no ticket available from Dimapur to Delhi. However, in some other private websites there were tickets available, at an exorbitant rate, he added.
Official sources said that the move has allowed private airlines increase the to and fro fares substantially.
According to reports, only two ATR flights on the Kolkata-Silchar route and the Kolkata-Guwahati-Silchar-Imphal route are still operational because of non-availability of alternative arrangements.
TOI report stated that some officials blamed the Union ministry of civil aviation and the Union ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) for the situation and said a section of officers in the North Eastern Council (NEC) was responsible for withdrawal of the ATR crafts.
Air India officials said the service was withdrawn as the NEC failed to make payment of subsidies to Air India. On the other hand, NEC officials argued that flight services between the capital cities of the northeast states were very poor despite payment of a large amount of money as subsidies.
North Eastern Council (NEC) secretary U.K. Sangma said: “Alliance Air service was inefficient and their memorandum of understanding had expired since December 31”.
Dwelling on the financial aid requirement of the Northeast in enhancing air connectivity, Sangma felt that the Rs.15,000 crore earmarked by Centre to Air India for the next five year plan could have been very well used to better air connectivity in the region considering the need for it.
New Airline to operate in NE
Soon after the exit of Alliance Air for NE sector, private airlines like Quick Jet from Bangalore, North East Shuttle, Pawan Hans etc. have jumped to take the seat and connect Northeast.
A pre bid consultation meeting was held at NEC office between the various airline operators and members of the North Eastern Council Friday last, NEC secretary U.K. Sangma informed.
He said, “The response to the bidding is encouraging, we have Quick Jet from Bangalore, North East Shuttle, Pawan Hans to name a few.”
“All the air line bidders are interested but are requesting some changes which we are looking into,” he added.
Sangma said, “Proper penalty clauses are put into place which amounts upto Rs, 50,000 fine if improper service is delivered” adding that the subsidized rate for the aircraft will be for a period of three years only and in connection to the safety regulations the DDCA will look after it.
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