The Kolkata-Cooch Behar flight service is unlikely to resume any time soon as the West Bengal Government failed to live up to its promise of subsidising operations for six months.

Operated by a non-scheduled carrier North East Shuttles Pvt Ltd, the flight service was stopped after just 12 flights in one-and-a-half months.

The services were initiated based on the State’s promise to subsidise eight seats of an 18-seater Dornier 228 aircraft, for the first six months, in case of non-availability of passengers. The idea was to give a cushion to the operator to help commercialise operations.

As anticipated, passenger availability was low initially. But, the carrier did not receive the promised subsidy for the flights it operated between October and mid-November last year.

“There were only two flights with full occupancy during the 45 days of service. The State Government’s proposed subsidy would have helped the carrier manage the operating cost of every flight,” sources told Business Line.

Available estimates suggest that the State Government is liable to pay a little more than Rs 3.6 lakh (at an average ticket price of Rs 4,500) as subsidy for the flights without full occupancy.

Capt. Shoba K Mani, Managing Director, North East Shuttles declined to comment on the subject.

According to the sources, low occupancy rate leading to higher cost of operations was another reason behind the withdrawal of the service.

Technical limitations

While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has claimed that it has already invested nearly Rs 40 crore to develop the terminal and the runway at the Cooch Benhar airport, sources said an outdated air traffic signalling system at the airport often delays landing and sends “incorrect” coordinates to the pilots.

ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in

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