Flight link to Mandalay dream come true
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 20, 2022 -

THE clearance given to Spicejet for operating thrice-a-week flight service on the Imphal-Mandalay route is certain to grab the attention of those who belong to the creamy layer of the society and have been yearning to travel to Southeast Asian countries for business as well as recreational purposes.

Materialization of direct flight connectivity from the state's capital to the erstwhile royal capital of present-day Myanmar will definitely fulfil the long-waited dreams of many as it would facilitate shorter and cheaper trip to the heartland of the neighbouring country, and from where travelling to capital cities and tourist hotspots of the ASEAN nations would be convenient and cut the expenditures.

The direct flight service is indeed a heart-warming gesture from the Centre taking into account of the fact that the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service remains non-operational. Up to now, Guwahati and Kolkata are the only cities in India's northeast and eastern regions which have direct flight services to Southeast Asian countries.

Thus, for those who can afford to spare their earnings and plan business or pleasure trips abroad, Southeast Asia would be the natural choice as and when Spicejet commences the flight service.

For the time being, the private flight service provider will be operating for only three days in a week but there is strong possibility of the number of flights on the Imphal-Mandalay air route increasing in the near future as there would be substantial number of the denizens from some of the neighbouring states who too would be eager to travel to the ASEAN nations.

Moreover, the Ministry of Civil Aviation fixing the price for one-way travel between Imphal and Mandalay at Rs 8500 will be another factor for the northeast citizens to opt for the Imphal airport.

In case the national highways could be maintained properly through all seasons, there is strong prospect of Imphal airport experiencing heavy rush of air travellers from not only north-eastern states but also from Asian neighbours, especially in view of the government of India leaving no stone unturned to establish trade ties and promote people-to-people contact with southeast Asian countries.

As per the office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Spicejet has been offered 25 per cent on Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and the latter agreed to operate three flights per week in its 90-seat capacity aircraft for the route.

While there is apprehension that the said seat capacity wouldn't be compatible with the demand, particularly during the prime tourist season, it is obvious that management of the service provider would have plan B ready to address any outstanding issue.

As such, fulfilment of the denizens' long-time dream to have a direct fight service from Imphal to Myanmar or even beyond will depend on how the state government responds to the Ministry's conveyance to confirm the consent for payment of VGF for further action on awarding the route.

For the record, around mid-2018, Jet Airways, another private flight operator scrapped its services on several routes in the northeast, including Imphal, leaving many frustrated as the private airliner was one of the few air service operators in the region that offered cheaper flight fare.

As private operators can't be expected to take the risk of serving the travellers at a loss, it is hoped that the government of Manipur will accord priority to improving the national highways and inter-state roads to attract people from neighbouring states so as to ensure sustainability of the dream-come-true Imphal-Mandalay flight service.