Deccan to launch intra-state flights in Gujarat in May

"With a view to create new market, we have proposed to launch intra-state flights in Gujarat for the first time in the country from first week of May. The facility is being introduced in collaboration with the state government," Founder of Deccan Charter, Capt G R Gopinath told PTI.

"The government will support this venture by giving push to marketing of these services through its tourism department," he said. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Gopinath were scheduled to announce the launch of intra-state flights tomorrow in Surat, but it has been postponed due to delay in arrival of its two ATR-72 aircraft from Europe for the launch services.

"The aircraft being imported from Europe for the launch of intra-state services in Gujarat have got stuck up," a company employee said explaining the cancellation of launch event and adding that they are likely to be delivered in next two days.

In the first phase of launch, air connectivity will be available from Ahmedabad to cities like Bhavnagar, Surat, Porbandar, Kandla and Jamnagar, and later on it is proposed to be expanded to other towns, a company official said.

"Some corporates have also underwritten seats for this venture, and we are in talks with few others," Gopinath said.

"In almost last sixty year there had been no flight from Ahmedabad to cities like Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Bhuj although they enjoy direct air connectivity with Mumbai," he pointed out.