Private carrier SpiceJet has announced the launch of flights from Mysore connecting Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai from January 14, coinciding with Sankranti, the festival of harvest in South India.
This will mark the resumption of airlink to Mysore after the debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines withdrew its operations to and from Mysore after it suspended operations.
It had launched its inbound and outbound operations from the Mandakalli airport on the Mysore-Nanjangud Road in October 2010, on the eve of Dasara celebrations.
The daily 72-seater flight saw a good response with over 70 per cent occupancy, but the hopes were shortlived as Kingfisher’s operations were cancelled a year later in November 2011 citing ‘operational reasons’.
However, the Mandakalli airport, modernised in September 2009 at a cost of Rs 82 crore, a year prior to the much-delayed airlink, continued to receive charter flights, while efforts were on to woo other private operators.
SpiceJet will operate flights on alternate days, three times in a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Mysore Travel Agents’ Association Secretary A C Ravi hoped it would not be short-lived.
Recalling that the district incharge minister was repeatedly giving assurances on a relink for two years, he told Business Standard, “It has become a reality now.”