Air India plans direct flight from Bhopal to Bengaluru

BHOPAL: Air India is considering to launch air connectivity between Bhopal and Bengaluru. Sources said, Air India will do a survey on the route regarding the viability of operating a direct flight. At present, there is just only one flight on the route, which is running with packed strength.
When contacted, CMD, Air India, Ashwani Lohani told TOI about consideration of the route."It may be considered as next destination from Bhopal," he said. Air India may start operating a direct flight later this year between Bhopal and Bengaluru, sources said.
Three passenger carriers are providing their services at Bhopal's Raja Bhoj airport. They are Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Air India has been operating their flights for over a decade at the Bhopal airport, while IndiGo and SpiceJet launched operations in January. Air India has connected Bhopal with Raipur, Pune, Delhi and Mumbai. Pune was the latest connectivity of Air India from Bhopal.
Ever since IndiGo launched the direct non-stop flight between Bhopal and Bengaluru, flyers from Bhopal were demanding for one more flight on the route. SpiceJet also connects Bhopal to Bengaluru via Shirdi.
Flyers said, "Bhopal-Bengaluru flight has been witnessing a packed strength. Bengaluru being an educational hub, it is imperative to have operations from the state owned carrier. Air India is considereding this route, which is great news," said Prachi Baluapuri, who is running the group Support Bhopal for Air Connectivity.