Madurai likely to lose five flights from July
MADURAI, JUNE 29, 2018 00:00 IST
It is a big setback for development of Madurai airport, say sources from the travel industry.
Services with Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai may be withdrawn
Travel industry is in a rude shock as at least four flights to Chennai, one to Bengaluru and one air link to Mumbai (via Chennai) linking Madurai airport would be withdrawn in July.
The shocking part is that all these flights are well-patronaged and the load factor is in no way connected to the withdrawal of services.
“Jet Airways that is operating four services of ATR flights from Chennai and Bengaluru to Madurai has announced its withdrawal from July 1,” said N. Sriram, Chairman of TourIST of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Stating that it would be a big setback for the development of Madurai airport, he said that the four flights, with timings spread across the day, will badly hit the business class.
Similarly, Air India has intimated its travel agents about withdrawing its Mumbai-Chennai-Madurai and back services between Chennai and Madurai from July 13.
“Withdrawal of these services is a big step backward for not only the travel industry, but the entire economic development of the southern region,” said president of Travel Club, Madurai, Chithra Ganapathi. She said that she was more shocked to hear that the withdrawal of services was not due to load factor.
“On any day, flights from Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru are almost full. I wonder why these services are pulled out,” Ms. Ganapathi said.
These services gave lot of flexibility to tourists who fly down to Madurai to reach any of the tourists destinations in south Tamil Nadu. “Mumbai is the preferred airport for lot of people from North India to travel to south. A direct flight service (from Mumbai to Madurai) always helped to bring tourists to Kodaikanal, Kanniyakumari and Rameswaram,” she said.
Airport Director V.V. Rao, was hopeful of more flights coming to Madurai. “I think it is a temporary phenomenon. But, Air India is yet to confirm about its withdrawal of service,” he said.
Mr. Sriram said that the Air India’s service between Madurai and Mumbai dates back to 1992.
He said the airliner, being a national carrier cannot withdraw its service to the Temple City abruptly.
Though it is said that the withdrawal is due to diversion of aircraft for the Haj season, the travel industry is pinning its hope on the Air India’s management to reconsider its move.
A step backward for not only the travel industry, but the entire economic development of the southern region
Chithra Ganapathi
MADURAI, JUNE 29, 2018 00:00 IST
It is a big setback for development of Madurai airport, say sources from the travel industry.
Services with Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai may be withdrawn
Travel industry is in a rude shock as at least four flights to Chennai, one to Bengaluru and one air link to Mumbai (via Chennai) linking Madurai airport would be withdrawn in July.
The shocking part is that all these flights are well-patronaged and the load factor is in no way connected to the withdrawal of services.
“Jet Airways that is operating four services of ATR flights from Chennai and Bengaluru to Madurai has announced its withdrawal from July 1,” said N. Sriram, Chairman of TourIST of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Stating that it would be a big setback for the development of Madurai airport, he said that the four flights, with timings spread across the day, will badly hit the business class.
Similarly, Air India has intimated its travel agents about withdrawing its Mumbai-Chennai-Madurai and back services between Chennai and Madurai from July 13.
“Withdrawal of these services is a big step backward for not only the travel industry, but the entire economic development of the southern region,” said president of Travel Club, Madurai, Chithra Ganapathi. She said that she was more shocked to hear that the withdrawal of services was not due to load factor.
“On any day, flights from Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru are almost full. I wonder why these services are pulled out,” Ms. Ganapathi said.
These services gave lot of flexibility to tourists who fly down to Madurai to reach any of the tourists destinations in south Tamil Nadu. “Mumbai is the preferred airport for lot of people from North India to travel to south. A direct flight service (from Mumbai to Madurai) always helped to bring tourists to Kodaikanal, Kanniyakumari and Rameswaram,” she said.
Airport Director V.V. Rao, was hopeful of more flights coming to Madurai. “I think it is a temporary phenomenon. But, Air India is yet to confirm about its withdrawal of service,” he said.
Mr. Sriram said that the Air India’s service between Madurai and Mumbai dates back to 1992.
He said the airliner, being a national carrier cannot withdraw its service to the Temple City abruptly.
Though it is said that the withdrawal is due to diversion of aircraft for the Haj season, the travel industry is pinning its hope on the Air India’s management to reconsider its move.
A step backward for not only the travel industry, but the entire economic development of the southern region
Chithra Ganapathi
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