CM launches new flight service, rues air fare spike
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, January 15 2025:
Chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday launched additional flight service of Alliance Air, which would operate on the Imphal-Guwahati, Imphal-Kolkata, and Imphal-Dimapur routes under the Viability Gap Funding.
The launch function was held at the conference hall of Imphal International Airport, in the presence of minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu through video conferencing.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and union minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu for providing additional flight service of Alliance Air in Manipur.
He conceded that Manipur has been passing through a difficult time and the people are unable to use the highways for travel because of the crisis.
Lakhs of people of the state are travelling by air and the high cost of air tickets has significantly affected the common people of the state, he added.
The CM urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to constitute a team to examine the pricing of air tickets, while informing that the Imphal-Kolkata flight may range around Rs 5000 .
He also requested for provision of more frequent flights directly connecting Imphal with major cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, and Bangalore.
He further appreciated the CEO of Alliance Air for taking up such initiative during this difficult period.
N Biren also requested Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to send a team to examine the soaring price of air tickets from the state to other destinations.
"The price of air tickets is very high here.
Please send a team here to examine what is happening.
The Delhi to Imphal flight rate has almost gone up to Rs 20,000.Imphal to Guwahati has gone up to Rs 5,000 to 10,000.How common people can afford such high prices," he said.
He said "Manipur is passing through a "difficult time" for the last 20 months, people are not moving out through the highways due to the prevailing crisis.
People from Churachandpur and Kangpokpi are also not able to travel by road.
Mainly the 18 lakh population of Imphal valley are travelling by flight outside Manipur".
He urged the Civil Aviation minister to send a team to assess the price of the air tickets.
"I will be very happy if you kindly instruct and arrange to minimise flight tickets and provide more flights that can travel directly to Delhi, Kolkata," Biren said.
Later in a post on X, the chief minister said "Pleased to announce the launch of Imphal-Guwahati-Imphal (Morning), Imphal-Kolkata-Imphal (Evening), Imphal-Dimapur-Imphal, new flight services aimed at improving connectivity and accessibility for the people of Manipur.
These flights will be operated by Alliance Air under the Viability Gap Funding scheme, funded by the state government and the airfare for these routes has been capped at a maximum of Rs 5000," he said.
Union minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stated that the inauguration of these new flights will bring the state closer with the rest of the country.
The new routes would enhance trade, travel and tourism in the state and also in providing employment, boosting the economy and empowering the people of the state, he added.
Addressing the function, Transport minister Khashim Vashum stated that the introduction of new routes will improve connectivity between people.
This initiative will create new opportunities for travellers visiting the state and boost its economic activities, he added.
Mention may be made that air tickets will be offered at subsidised rate twice a week on these new flight routes.
The inaugural function was attended by Works minister Govindas Konthoujam, Water Resources minister Awangbow Newmai, CAF&PD minister Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, Education minister Th Basantakumar Singh, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh, Wangoi MLA Khuraijam Loken Singh, Kakching MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh, and chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh among others.
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