Mumbai: Airlines are cashing on the surge in travel demand for Mahakumbh adding flights to Varanasi. SpiceJet is flying seven daily services between Delhi-Varanasi till March 17 adding three extra flights this month and GoAir plans to operate 4-5 special flights on the same route during the same period.
The Kumbh Mela is expected to draw close to ten crore visitors which include pilgrims, politicians, celebrities and corporates from around the world and airports at Varanasi and Allahabad are buzzing with jets from earlier this month. The demand for travel is highest on six days when pilgrims take a holy dip in the river Ganga.
GoAir does not have a regular service to Varanasi but will be flying 4-5 flights on Delhi-Varanasi route using an AIrbus A320 plane. "We have sought Directorate General of Civil Aviation permission for the additional flights and hope to begin from February 18," an executive said.
11/02/13 Aneesh Phadnis/Business Standard
