Puducherry: After a long wait, Puducherry has regained its place in aviation map with SpiceJet launching operations through the airport here under the Udan (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme on Wednesday.
A 78-seater SpiceJet Bombardier, SEJ 1004, from Hyderabad reached the airport at 11.30 am and the return flight with 76 passengers took off to Hyderabad around 12:00 p.m.
The passengers were received with a warm welcome by Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and his entire cabinet members who were present at the airport by presenting gift hampers and garlands. The Chief Minister handed over to each of the passengers boarding passes and garlanded them. Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, who represents Yanam region also travelled on the first flight.
Earlier the Chief Minister had inaugurated the daily flight service by lighting the traditional lamp on the premises of the airport situated at Lawspet.
Chief Secretary Manoj Parida, Deputy Speaker V. P. Sivakolundhu and legislators and AIADMK MP N. Gokulakrishnan, other senior officials of the administration were present.
Later Chief Minister told reporters that the flight service is being operated under Centre's flagship program Udan and the government has to overcome several hurdles on the resumption of service.
Flight services from Puducherry to Bengaluru, Kochi, Tirupati and Coimbatore would be started soon. The government has proposed to start services to Delhi,” he added.
Puducherry was back to the aviation map in October 2015 after Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, operating services, but stopped barely five months after it started flying planes.
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi thanked the Prime Minister for the new initiative Udan. According to the reports, the Lt Governor was not given an official invitation to participate in the inauguration of flight service. I believe SpiceJet has started its flts Very happy for Puducherry. Pray they STAY ON, tweeted Ms Bedi.
