Airline to reduce airfare for Imphal-Guwahati sector

IMPHAL — In response to the concerns over high airfares and limited connectivity raised by former chief minister N Biren Singh and subsequent communication from the Governor, Air India Express has announced fare caps of INR 6,000 for the Imphal-Guwahati sector and introduced two additional flights.

Sharing this information on X, Raj Bhavan, Manipur, on Tuesday wrote, “Following the Governor of Manipur’s communication to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Air India Express has responded positively. The airline has decided to cap fares for the Imphal–Guwahati sector at INR 6000 and will soon operate two additional daily flights — one to Guwahati and another to Kolkata.

“Raj Bhavan appreciates the prompt response from @MoCA_GoI and @AirIndiaX for addressing the connectivity concerns of Manipur. Further information on the new flight schedules will follow,” it stated.

Earlier, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had also written to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu seeking urgent intervention to restore and enhance flight connectivity from Imphal.

Also read: Imphal to Delhi flights cheaper than Imphal to Guwahati

Biren Singh raises concern on exorbitant air fares

Sharing the soft copy of the Governor’s letter to Union Minister on X, Raj Bhavan, wrote, “The drastic reduction in flights to Guwahati and Kolkata has adversely affected mobility and caused hardship to the people of Manipur. Governor has stressed that reliable air connectivity is the state’s lifeline in the absence of rail links. Raj Bhavan is closely following up to ensure timely and effective action in the interest of the people of Manipur.”

Expressing concern over drastic reduction in flight connectivity for Imphal, Bhalla in his letter to the union minister wrote that air travel is the only dependable mode of transportation for residents, students and patients as the state lacks railway connectivity and road travel remains “unreliable particularly after rainfalls and floods.”

Informing that daily flights operating between Imphal and Guwahati has been reduced to two from five, with “no early morning and no late evening departure options,” the letter added that similarly the flights operating between Imphal and Kolkata have been dropped from five to just two with no evening connectivity available.

Stating that with reduced flights, not only availability is compromised but the fares have surged to exorbitant levels, making travel unaffordable and logistically unfeasible for many, the letter said “If not addressed urgently, it will create resentment among the people of the state.”