Tripura asks Centre to step in after multiple airlines cut Agartala services
Agartala, Aug 12: Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has appealed to Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu to intervene following a series of withdrawals and reductions of flights to and from Agartala, a development the minister said has tightened air connectivity and pushed up fares on key routes.
In a letter dated August 11, Chowdhury outlined that services operated by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air have recently been curtailed, withdrawn or face proposed discontinuation on several sectors linking the Tripura capital to other cities. The communication was cited in a PTI report.
- Air India has reduced services and is reported to be likely to stop operations on the Agartala–Guwahati sector from October 22.
- Air India Express has withdrawn or reduced services on important routes; its Agartala–Bagdogra–Bengaluru service is also reported to be withdrawn.
- IndiGo’s direct Agartala–Hyderabad service is proposed to be withdrawn from October 1.
- Akasa Air is scheduled to discontinue services from Agartala from October 22.
Chowdhury also said that services on the Agartala–Shillong, Agartala–Aizawl and the direct Agartala–Chennai route had been withdrawn earlier. He argued that the reduction in scheduled flights is at odds with what he described as a growing demand for improved air connectivity from Agartala.
"The reduction in the number of flights, contrary to the growing demand for increased air connectivity from Agartala, has significantly affected the availability of air services from Tripura to major cities across the country," Chowdhury wrote, according to the report.
The minister warned that the contraction of services has resulted in a sharp rise in airfares on several important sectors, notably Agartala–Kolkata, Agartala–Delhi, Agartala–Guwahati and Agartala–Bengaluru. He said this increase is imposing financial strain and inconvenience on passengers, particularly those travelling for medical treatment, higher education, business and official work.
What the letter requests
Chowdhury urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister to personally take up the matter with the carriers and to explore all available measures to:
- restore services that have been withdrawn;
- retain existing flights currently under threat; and
- augment capacity on routes from Agartala that demonstrate high demand.
The PTI dispatch did not include any response from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation or statements from the named airlines. The minister's letter, as reported, lists specific airlines and dates when services are expected to be discontinued or proposed for withdrawal.
| Airline | Action reported | Effective/Proposed date |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | Reduced services; likely discontinuation on Agartala–Guwahati | From Oct 22 |
| Air India Express | Withdrawn/reduced on important routes; Agartala–Bagdogra–Bengaluru reported withdrawn | Not specified |
| IndiGo | Proposed withdrawal of direct Agartala–Hyderabad | From Oct 1 |
| Akasa Air | Scheduled to discontinue services from Agartala | From Oct 22 |
Local stakeholders are likely to watch the Centre’s response closely. Reduced air connectivity can affect business travel, tourism, timely medical access and the movement of students to other cities — all concerns referenced in the minister’s letter. Chowdhury asked the Union minister to take up the issue with the carriers "personally", signalling a request for direct engagement at the federal level.
At the time of reporting, no official confirmation or rebuttal to the claims about planned or actual service withdrawals was included in the PTI report. Any subsequent announcements from the Ministry of Civil Aviation or the airlines would determine whether services are restored or alternative arrangements are put in place.
