Mysuru hopes to get back on aviation map for Dasara and beyond

Demands for air connectivity are not new for Mysuru. Various interest groups, such as Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mysuru Travel Agents Association, etc, have demanded air services, time and again throughout the year. But the issue gains momentum only during Dasara.

With great difficulty, the authorities concerned introduced air services during Dasara in 2010, but the airline withdrew flights citing poor occupancy. Come Dasara, demands reappear for re-introduction of flights. Recently, MP Prathap Simha met Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju, seeking resumption of air services to Mysuru in the wake of Dasara, which is scheduled to begin on October 1.

The MP tried to impress upon the minister, citing the city’s potential due to the presence of tourist destinations like the Palace and Brindavan Gardens in the vicinity. He has also mentioned that the city attracts foreigners due to quality education and training in yoga and also a conducive climate for industries.

“Mysuru, which assumes significance for its heritage and culture, has been adjudged India’s cleanest city. It is a prominent city because of various reasons. It receives over 30 lakh tourists on an average every year and the density of tourists during Dasara is more. The Mysuru Airport has all the necessary infrastructure. So, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry should take steps to provide air connectivity,” the MP’s memorandum states.

Earlier, Kingfisher operated flights from October 1, 2010 to November 7, 2011; SpiceJet operated from January 14 to October 25 in 2013; and Alliance Air operated from September 3 to November 17 in 2015. The services were operated despite reluctance, following pressure from various interest groups and government intervention with renewed deadlines. But they had to be withdrawn owing to economics.

Now, the MP has mooted eight routes to sustain the services and to make them financially viable. They are: Mysuru-Goa-Mumbai, Mysuru- Kochi-Thiruvananthapuram, Mysuru-Hyderabad-Mumbai, Mysuru-Delhi-Mysuru, Jaipur-Mysuru-Goa, Mysuru-Chennai-Mysuru, Mysuru-Coimbatore-Mumbai/Delhi and Mysuru-Mangaluru-Mysuru.

Simha has urged the minister to negotiate with airlines and put Mysuru back on the aviation map. “Re-initiating of air services will help the development of the region socially, economically and with regard to tourism,” he has pointed out.He said the minister has responded positively to his proposal and an announcement is expected shortly.