Air India Regional to begin flights from Mumbai

by Vinay Bhaskara

An Air India Bombardier CRJ-700 - Image Credit: Nisarg Vyas

According to a report from the Hindu Business Line, Air India subsidiary Alliance Air (Air India Regional) has announced an expansion of its services from Mumbai, with new flights to Allahabad, Agra, and Gwalior.

According to the article, an Air India spokesperson said, “Alliance Air will be introducing new flights and routes on its network from September 9 from Mumbai to Allahabad, Agra and Gwalior.”

Mumbai - Allahabad will operate four times per week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Mumbai-Gwalior and Mumbai-Agra will both operate twice per week; Mumbai-Gwalior on Mondays and Thursdays, Mumbai-Agra on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Inaugural fares for Mumbai-Allahabad are set as Rs 3,979 one way and Rs 8,326 return while Mumbai-Gwalior is set as Rs 2,982 one way and Rs 5,874 return fare. Mumbai-Agra intial fares are Rs 3,979 one way and Rs 8,326 return.

As of August 2013, Air India Regional serves 23 Indian destinations with a fleet of 11 aircraft (4x Bombardier CRJ-700s, and 7x ATR 42-300 turboprops). It operates 233 flights per week, with the largest hub at Delhi seeing 53 weekly departures to eight destinations. Air India Regional does not currently serve Mumbai.

However, Mumbai is the second largest operating base for the Air India Group of airlines (including mainline Air India, Air India Regional, and low cost wing Air India Express), with 464 weekly departures in August 2013 (443 mainline Air India, 21 Air India Express). 

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Air India commences circuitous flights from New Delhi to Agra

Air India operated its first flight to Agra earlier today.

Following a circuitous route (Delhi-Varanasi-Agra), this flight has a schedule that leaves much to be desired.

Image courtesy gcmap.com

The flight will be operated with an all-economy class Airbus A320 aircraft, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Flight AI 406 departs New Delhi at 1245, arrives Varanasi at 1400. Departs Varanasi at 1435 arrives Agra at 1530. Departs Agra at 1605 and arrives Khajuraho at 1645 hours. One the return flight AI 405 will leave Khajuraho at 1720 arrive in Varanasi at 1810 hours. Depart from Varanasi at 1845 and reach Delhi at 1955.

Only a politician who is not answerable for the route profitability can have thought up of such a convoluted routing.

One would expect at least one of the network planners at Air India to advise their political masters that no passenger in his or her right mind will take a flight of 2h45m when they can take a train between New Delhi and Agra and reach in 1h50m.

One can drive from Delhi to Agra on the new Yamuna Expressway and reach in a lesser time.

And all this at 12 Noon?!?!?! Which tourist wants to waste their whole day?

Unfortunately the connectivity to Khajuraho is poor at best, and both Air India and Jet Airways who serve this city, fleece their passengers mercilessly. 30 day advance purchase New Delhi Khajuraho roundtrip fares start from Rs. 16,415 quickly shooting up to Rs. 22,487. In comparison a roundtrip flight across the country from New Delhi to Bangalore for the same travel dates will cost Rs. 10,200.

And then we wonder, why India received less half the number of foreign tourists compared to a small country like Thailand.

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