There is great news for the travellers of city and surrounding areas as, Star Air has launched a new flight route connecting Nagpur, Nanded, and Goa (Mopa) starting March 31. Operating with a 70-seat aircraft, this service provides convenient connectivity between these cities, notably facilitating travel for pilgrims to Nanded. Similarly, the flight will satisfy travellers going on holiday to Goa. The flight has been started under the UDAN Scheme part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity in the country. Currently, the Nagpur-Nanded ticket is available from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500. While, the Nagpur-Goa flight via Nanded ticket is in the range of Rs 7,500 to Rs 8,000. The ticket rates can change as per the demand and availability of seats. The Star Air flight operates five days a week except Monday and Saturday.

 

According to the schedule on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday the Nagpur-Nanded flight departs from Nagpur at 12.40 pm and lands at Nanded 1.30 pm. Nanded-Goa flight departs from Nanded at 2 pm and lands at 3.20 pm. Goa-Nanded flight departs from Goa at 9.30 am and lands at 10.50 am. Nanded-Nagpur flight departs from Nanded at 11:20 am and lands at 12:10 pm. On Wednesday, the Nagpur-Nanded flight departs from Nagpur at 6:15 pm and lands at 7:05 pm. Nanded-Goa flight departs Nanded at 7.30 pm and lands at 8.50 pm. Goa-Nanded flight departs from Goa at 3.10 pm and lands at 4.30 pm. Nanded-Nagpur flight departs from Nanded at 4.55 pm and lands at 5.45 pm. Star Air is operating the popular ATR aircraft which has a capacity of 70 seats.

 

Alok Vaidya, Managing Director of Rupsha Aero Services Private Limited and Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) said the flight though in its initial stage is getting a good response with 50 per cent occupancy. Many people are showing interest in this flight as it benefits pilgrims going to Nanded. The flight is specially beneficial for travellers residing in areas surrounding Nagpur and going to Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded. It takes only 50 minutes to reach Nanded from Nagpur.

 

At the moment, there is no direct flight to Goa from Nagpur. Earlier, Indigo had a flight, but has been discontinued due to technical reasons. So travellers prefer going to Goa via Mumbai. They have to book two flights, first to Mumbia and then take a connecting flight to Goa. The average ticket fare comes to about Rs 12,000 to Rs 13,000. “The Nagpur-Goa flight will prove to be cost effective and convenient for travellers going to Goa with huge savings in money and time,” Vaidya added.