The Hindu Business Line : Sahara links Coimbatore

AIR travellers from Coimbatore now have an additional option with Air Sahara announcing daily services linking this industrial hub with three metros with effect from February 4.

The airline has announced flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai to Coimbatore. While Indian Airlines operates its service from Delhi to Kozhikode via Mumbai and Coimbatore, Air Sahara will be operating its Delhi-Coimbatore-Delhi flight through Chennai, which is expected to reduce travelling time for passengers on this sector.

It would offer an economy class promotional fare valid till February 29. The fare (one way) on Coimbatore-Mumbai-Coimbatore sector would be Rs 5,595, Chennai-Coimbatore-Chennai sector Rs 2,715 and Delhi-Coimbatore-Delhi sector would be Rs 10,165.

The travel industry here has welcomed the entry of Air Sahara, which is expected to intensify competition. Apart from the three operators, short-haul service providers Alliance Air and Air Deccan also operate services to Coimbatore from places like Chennai and Bangalore.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Vikram Mohan, Managing Director, Pricol Travels Ltd, Coimbatore, said Air Sahara's flight timings, except the Mumbai flight, would suit business travellers and those who want to board international flights from Chennai.

While the Mumbai flight leaves at 12 noon, in the return direction, the flight leaves Mumbai at 3.30 pm which would be convenient for the business travellers. They can complete their work in Mumbai in the morning and catch the Coimbatore flight in the afternoon. Hailing the timing of the Air Sahara flight to Chennai leaving the city at 5.45 p.m., he said it provided an opportunity for the business travellers coming here in the morning from Chennai to return to the State capital the same day. At present the lack of a convenient evening flight direct to Chennai was a sore point with this segment of travellers. The evening service would be a boon to the passengers boarding international flights from Chennai to European destinations or taking connecting flights since they would not be spending much time at Chennai airport to catch the out-bound flights next day.

Mr Vikram Mohan said during the discussions with the travel industry representatives, Air Sahara officials had expressed their willingness to consider the possibility of operating an early morning service from Coimbatore to Mumbai and a late evening flight from the megapolis to Coimbatore.