The eagerly anticipated air connectivity between Bhopal and Pune and Kolkata has hit a snag, as the slots designated for Indigo’s flights have been temporarily put on hold. Bhopal’s airport, while offering direct connections to various cities, has long been the subject of requests for routes to Pune and Kolkata. The reasons behind this delay remain shrouded in mystery, and the situation is now perceived as a reflection of the region’s political will. Bhopal’s airport recently clinched the top spot in customer satisfaction, heightening expectations for expanded flight services and new destinations.
Bhopal’s Skylink Ambitions Delayed
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has been eagerly awaiting direct flights to Pune and Kolkata, with travelers expressing their desires for these connections for years. However, their aspirations have encountered an unexpected hurdle. The slot allocated for Indigo’s flights has been placed on hold, and the starting date remains uncertain. These flights were initially scheduled to commence operations from October 8.
Current Direct Connections from Bhopal
Bhopal airport presently offers direct connections to several major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Prayagraj, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Udaipur, Raipur, Goa, Kochi, and Ahmedabad. Despite these connections, the demand for routes to Pune and Kolkata has persisted for an extended period. It’s worth noting that flights to Pune have been initiated in the past but discontinued due to various reasons.
Unexplained Setback Raises Questions
The sudden hold on the slots has left the community puzzled. “No one knows why the slots have been withdrawn. Both Pune and Kolkata are critical connections for Bhopal. This development is a significant setback,” reveal inside sources. Bhopal is home to a sizable Bengali diaspora who frequently travel to Kolkata, further underscoring the demand for this air link.
Voices of Frustration
Frustration among passengers is palpable as the flight’s launch was eagerly anticipated. Mrinal Shrivastava, a frequent flyer, expressed concern about the lack of political will in Bhopal to initiate new flights. He remarked, “Officials did their best to establish these connections, and it’s surprising that no political party raised objections when the slots were placed on hold.”
A Missed Opportunity for Indigo
The now-suspended flight was set to operate between Pune and Bhopal and Kolkata, marking the first time Indigo was launching services connecting these cities from Bhopal.
A Surprising Delay After Customer Satisfaction Triumph
Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport recently achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the top position among airports in tier-two cities in the latest customer satisfaction survey. With an almost perfect score of 4.99 out of 5, Bhopal led the ranking of 56 airports for the January-June period. Following this accolade, expectations were high for the airport to attract more flights and new destinations. However, the awaited expansion of connectivity is still pending, leaving the residents of Bhopal wondering about the reasons behind this unexpected delay.
