Mumbai: National carrier Air India is going to connect Mumbai to Diu by air from October 26 after the Union Territory administration agreed to Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to make the less frequented route attractive for both passengers and the airline. The flight will be operational four days a week from Monday to Thursday.
With the launch of this 65-minute flight, VGF is making its debut in the Mumbai flight information region. The subsidy is offered through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER). Such funding had been previously available only to airlines flying to the seven northeastern states, which rely on air travel due to lack of rail or road connectivity.
"We had approached various state governments to operate flights to Tier II and Tier III cities under VGF. The Union Territory administration of Diu showed interest," an Air India spokesperson said. "A 72-seater, ATR 72-600 aircraft will be used on the Mumbai-Diu route." Jet Airways, which already flies between Mumbai and Diu, also utilises a similar propeller aircraft for the trip.
21/10/15 Aditya Anand/Mumbai Mirror
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With the launch of this 65-minute flight, VGF is making its debut in the Mumbai flight information region. The subsidy is offered through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER). Such funding had been previously available only to airlines flying to the seven northeastern states, which rely on air travel due to lack of rail or road connectivity.
"We had approached various state governments to operate flights to Tier II and Tier III cities under VGF. The Union Territory administration of Diu showed interest," an Air India spokesperson said. "A 72-seater, ATR 72-600 aircraft will be used on the Mumbai-Diu route." Jet Airways, which already flies between Mumbai and Diu, also utilises a similar propeller aircraft for the trip.
21/10/15 Aditya Anand/Mumbai Mirror
