GUWAHATI, Jan 28 ? Air connectivity in the North-east is all set to receive a big boost with the induction of four ATR-42 aircraft by Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines. While two ATR-42 aircraft have already been pressed into service since last December, two more will join the Alliance Air fleet by end of March.
With all the four aircraft in operation, flights between Kolkata-Dimapur, Kolkata-Aizawl, Guwahati-Agartala, Guwahati-Lilabari, Guwahati-Silchar, Guwahati-Imphal, Silchar-Imphal, Guwahati-Aizawl, Guwahati-Dimapur and Silchar-Agartala will be a daily affair. Moreover, there will be nine flights a week between Kolkata and Silchar while Kolkata and Shillong will get three flights a week.
Revealing this, Managing Director of Alliance Air, Manet Paes told newsmen here today that deployment of the new ATR-42 aircraft in the North-east has helped their increase the frequency on many sectors ranging from three to seven. Besides, the total capacity offered would also double from the existing 2,125 seats per week to 4,177 seats, with the four aircraft in operation. All the North-east State capitals, barring Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, will be airlinked, he said.
Alliance Air has acquired the four 50-seater ATR-42 aircraft on lease from France at a cost of $ 67,000 per plane per month. The North Eastern Council (NEC) provides Rs 35 crore every year for development of civil aviation in the North-east. It may be mentioned that both Indian Airlines and Alliance Air have been continuing with their services in the North-east despite incurring heavy losses. ?This is because air transportation has become inevitable in the region due to its remoteness and difficult terrains,? the Alliance Air Managing Director said.