Indore: A direct flight between Indore and Sharjah took off today. Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia along with Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General Dr Vijay Kumar Singh (Retired) inaugurated the flight which will operate three days a week commencing today. This new route is expected to enhance connectivity with the Middle East and promote trade, commerce and tourism in Madhya Pradesh
The schedule of the flight is as follows:
Scindia said that after Indore to Dubai, Indore to Sharjah will be Indore’s second air connectivity with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This will not only boost trade and commerce but also connect families living in two different countries.
Speaking on connectivity and infrastructure development, Scindia said in the 9 years, Indore’s connectivity increased from 6 to 24 destinations including 2 international destinations which is a 400% growth. Earlier, weekly air traffic movement from Indore was 320 which has now increased to 500 which is a 52% growth.
The Minister further said that in 2014, the state of Madhya Pradesh had air connectivity with only eight cities of the country, but now it is connected to 26 cities which is a 300% growth. The weekly air traffic movement from the state was 500 aircraft; in 9 years it has increased to 840. The state of Madhya Pradesh was given 60 routes under the RCS UDAN scheme, 33 of them are already operational and 12 will be operational soon. Recently, Reva airport’s foundation was laid- Rs. 50 crores will be invested in its development. In Gwalior, the Minister said, a new integrated terminal building is being developed at a cost of Rs 500 crore. A new integrated terminal building costing around Rs 475 crore is being developed in Jabalpur also, he informed.
Aloke Singh, Managing Director of Air India Express, AirAsia India and Captain Manish Uppal, Head of Operations AirAsia India were present during the event.
– global bihari bureau
