Salem to get flight to Chennai, Andhra cities before year-end

TNN | Nov 7, 2017, 15:48 IST



SALEM: Before next year, people of Salem and its neighbouring districts will have flight connectivity between Salem and Chennai and some cities in Andhra Pradesh, said K Mariappan, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Salem chapter.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Marippan said Salem Airport will be revived before end of December. "It is going to be a New Year gift to people of Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Erode districts," he said.

"The ministry of civil aviation had already approved a hyderabad-based airline company, Turbo Megha Airways Private Limited, to operate a 72-seater ATR aircraft under the UDAN scheme to provide regional connectivity between Salem and two or more cities at a concessional fare not exceeding Rs 2500," Marippan said.

The flight, which will be operated from Vijayawada, will be landing first at Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh and then to Chennai and from there to Salem. "On return from Salem it will land first at Chennai then to Mysore and finally to Vijayawada via Cuddapah," he added.

Price of tickets from Chennai to Salem will be Rs 1920 and from Salem to Chennai will be Rs 1750. "Out of 72 seats, this concessional rate will be applicable for 36 seats under RCS (regional connectivity scheme) on first-come-first-served basis," he said.

Turbo Megha Airways Private Limited was one of the five private airlines other than Spice Jet, Deccan Airlines, Airline Allied 3-IGIA Del-Bikaner and Air Odisha that was approved under the UDAN scheme to operate flights. Turbo Airways has already operating flights from Vijayawada to other cities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana including Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam and Rajamundry.

Mariappan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, minister for civil aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pasupati, civil aviation ministry secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Salem district collector Rohini R Bhajibhakare for taking steps to revive Salem airport.