Gujarat inter-city flights before May 15

Surat: The end of the 10-day long strike by Air India pilots has paved the way for Deccan Charters Limited (DCL) to get early nod from the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) to begin commercial operations of the inter-city air charter services by next week.
"We are likely to get approval from DGCA to run inter-city air services in Gujarat on May 9 and we can start the commercial operation latest by May 15," a senior officer of DCL said.
The first of its kind inter-city air charter services to connect important destinations in the state from Surat and Ahmedabad was scheduled to start commercial operation from Saturday. But air services were delayed, pending approval from DGCA due to the strike called by Air India pilots.
While DCL is blaming Air India pilots strike as the prime reason behind the delay in getting approval, there is a general feeling among the air travelers in diamond city that the inter-city air service has run into the rough weather due to the politics between the state and the central government.
Official sources said the two ATR turbo aircraft imported by the company are parked in Dubai and they will be brought to India after DGCA's approval to run an air service in the state.
According to DCL officials, the air fares would be in the range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000. Initially, the company will offer air tickets for Re 1 under 'book early, pay less' scheme.
07/05/11 Melvyn Thomas/Times of India

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Categories: New May 2011