This story is from September 17, 2020

50% domestic flights back in business: Hardeep Puri

Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said 50% of domestic flight operations have started in September.
50% domestic flights back in business: Hardeep Puri
GUWAHATI: Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said 50% of domestic flight operations have started in September.
Participating in the launch of air cargo by SpiceJet in Guwahati through a video conference, Puri said, “I have been saying this to airline operators in April-May that demand will be back and by September at least 50% of domestic flight operations have started.”
He added, “We are opening more and ready to support the operators from the government to expand internationally.”
SpiceJet launched 14 new cargo flights to and from the northeast using its Bombardier Q400 freighters.

The company stated, “In line with its commitment to enhance regional connectivity, SpiceJet is the first Indian carrier to introduce dedicated cargo flights for the Northeast. The dedicated cargo flights will help transport fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, perishables, fish seeds, fresh fish, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, express cargo and other general cargo. Besides improving logistics and connectivity, the new freighter service will boost the growth of trade in the northeastern markets and help micro, small & medium enterprises.”

Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director, SpiceJet, said aviation had done well. “The aviation industry has restarted. In April-May, we never thought 50% of domestic flight operations will start by September.”
He said, “The northeast still suffers from a lack of connectivity and it has always been a dream to help integrate this wonderful part of India with the rest of our country. As the Prime Minister has said that the northeast has the potential to become India’s growth engine, we sincerely hope that our dedicated cargo flights will help significantly transform the region.”
The airline will operate daily cargo flights on Kolkata-Guwahati, Guwahati-Kolkata, Kolkata-Imphal and Imphal-Kolkata sectors. SpiceJet has also introduced cargo flights between Kolkata and Guwahati via Aizawl and Dimapur which will operate twice-a-week. The airline will also operate cargo flights on the Kolkata-Agartala and Agartala-Guwahati sectors thrice-a-week and twice-a-week on Kolkata-Silchar and Silchar-Guwahati routes. Singh added, “We are also looking at Lilabari to connect with Arunachal Pradesh.”
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Farmers from the region can now transport their fresh farm produce across the country and internationally also. I would urge local businesses, traders, entrepreneurs to make use of this opportunity that provides us access to markets not only within India but across the globe. SpiceJet dedicating a part of its fleet to improving connectivity and strengthening the supply chain in Assam and northeast is a welcome step that will immensely help and boost local business, trade, micro, small and medium enterprises and farmers.”
SpiceJet’s international cargo network now spans over 44 international destinations.
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