Imphal, December 04, 2008: Land locked people of Manipur, where agitation of various forms leading to throttling of surface traffic is common, can now breathe a sign of relief as a private airliner is all set to connect Imphal, Aizawl and Shillong with a mini passenger charter flight services from tomorrow onwards.

Announcing introduction of the flight service, Senior Manager of Kolkata-based North East Shuttles (P) Ltd Soumava Roy said the highly equipped aircraft with a capacity of nine single row window seats would operate for five days on weekdays i.e.Monday to Friday.

"This is our new initiative in the North Eastern region.

We will have two sorties in a day between Imphal-Aizawl and Imphal-shillong, and the 300 kg extra cargo capacity flight manufactured by a reputed US aviation company will park at Imphal Airport in the night," the Senior Manager of the flight service operator detailed.

Expressing that the flight service is totally committed to the people of region, he said apart from being a normal passenger carrier, the flight would serve as an air ambulance catering to medical emergencies.

Moreover, it would also facilitate Government officials promptly reach their destination for official purposes in addition to acting as mail, freight and courier services, Soumava added.

Further informing that marketing of the service including sale of tickets will be done by the Imphal-based transport agency GVT Services, the Senior Manager said "Since the Director General of Civil Aviation has given us the permission to operate across the country, we are mulling over to add two more similar aircraft by january next and by that time we will connect Itanagar and Jorhat".

Putting the fare for one way flight between Imphal and Aizawl per head at Rs 4000 and Imphal-Shillong route rate from Rs 4500 onwards, he disclosed that the rates might be revised in accordance to fluctuation in fuel price.

"We will also have night service as and when the Imphal Airport is equipped with night landing facilities," Soumava said and appealed to the public to extend co-operation to the new venture.

Comment