IndiGo to launch service on 8 new routes; will increase connectivity

“Out of these new connections, Bhopal-Udaipur flight will be RCS route and will increase inter-state connectivity,” the company said in a release.

The airline’s Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer Sanjay Kumar confirmed that the company was pleased to announce flights on new domestic routes between seven states with the aim of increasing connectivity and reach between domestic routes.

On 18 October, the airline made a successful test landing at Hollonghi Airport, also known as Doni Polo Airport. The foundation stone of the greenfield airport was laid in 2019. It will serve Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, and is located approximately 14 km south of the city centre. The airport is designed to handle narrow-bodied aircraft that can carry 180-200 passengers.

“Critical works required for the operation of the airport have been completed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport but the date has not been decided yet. We are hopeful that the start of flights from this airport will give a boost to the tourism sector.”

Another official said that IndiGo is likely to connect Itanagar with Guwahati and Kolkata and also have a direct flight between Delhi and Itanagar in the coming months. He said that Indore-based regional airline Flybig is also likely to start flights between Itanagar and Guwahati once the airport becomes operational.

“The Northeast is of strategic importance to us. IndiGo is one of the few carriers that have achieved successful expansion in the Northeast by connecting the service only because of route dispersal guidelines,” Abhijit Dasgupta, head of network planning at IndiGo, told Mint.

“Hollonghi is definitely high on our priority list. We are evaluating economic and operational factors and will make the appropriate announcements once we complete this assessment.”